PROGRESS IN THE MODELLING OF THE MECHANICAL BEHAVIOUR OF SUGARCANE BAGASSE

PREVIOUS work has shown that many aspects of the mechanical behaviour of prepared cane and bagasse are similar to those of soil (sand, clay) and can be successfully modelled using soil critical state models. Significant limitations have also been identified in reproducing some of the detailed behaviour of bagasse using these models. Limitations in currently available material models have hindered attempts to use finite element based computer models to simulate the crushing process of prepared cane and bagasse in milling units. In particular, these finite element models have been unsuccessful in predicting the measured levels of roll torque (an important operating and design parameter), although significant progress has been made in predicting milling throughput. This paper reports on progress towards a material model that can adequately reproduce bagasse behaviour and extends the investigations into finite element modelling of the behaviour of highly over-consolidated bagasse. Over-consolidation is expected to occur just after each nip in a milling unit, resulting in significantly changed material behaviour than that which occurs at the first nip.