Abstract
The modulus of elasticity, Poisson's ratio and shear modulus of bulk cotton lint fibers were determined. The cotton lint was compressed in an MTS machine to a predetermined density, and the resilient forces induced by the cotton lint after being compressed were measured. Finite element analysis was used to model force on cotton bale ties, and determine the magnitude of the resilient forces on the bale ties. The nodal forces on the bale tie material were evaluated for three different bale tie materials to determine if bale tie breakage would occur. Young's modulus of bulk lint cotton was found to be 9 MPa and the Poisson's ratio was 0. 1, while 12 MPa was recorded for the shear modulus. The FEA analysis showed that round steel ties, at six ties per bale were loaded at 5.9 % of their tensile yield strength, and at 5.4 % for eight ties per bale. Plastic ties were loaded at 11.9 % of their tensile yield strength at six ties per bale, and at 10.8 % at eight ties per bale. The flat steel ties were loaded at 10.7 % of their tensile yield strength at six ties per bale, and at 9.4 % at eight ties per bale. Depth adjustment on the basis of the sample depth to the actual depth resulted in plastic ties being loaded to 84 % of their tensile yield strength at six ties per bale. Round steel ties were loaded to 62% and the flat steel ties were loaded to 66% at six ties per bale.
Chimbombi, Ezekiel Maswe (1998). Stresses resulting from compression of bulk cotton lint fibers. Master's thesis, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /ETD -TAMU -1998 -THESIS -C452.