18 / 2025-03-28 16:54:24

Design and Testing of Mudflat Shellfish Vibrating Harvester Based on DEM-MBD Simulation

mudflat shellfish; mechanized harvesting; discrete element method; multi-body dynamics；field tests;

1. 畜禽集约化养殖与可持续发展 > （2）集约化养殖对土地利用和劳动力短缺的挑战及解决方案

To address the challenges of low mechanization and loss of mudflat damage in shellfish harvesting on Chinese mudflats, a crawler-based mudflat shellfish mechanized brush-screen cooperative vibration harvester was developed, using white clams as the research subject. A theoretical analysis of the harvester’s key components, including the double-deck vibrating screen and a first double-spiral harvesting roller brush, was conducted to determine critical structural and operational parameters. By integrating simulations based on the Discrete Element Method (DEM) and Multi-Body Dynamics (MBD), optimal structural parameters were identified, including a crank length of 10 mm and a spiral angle of 30°. Orthogonal field tests further refined the operational parameters, establishing an optimal crank rotation speed of 870 r/min, a first double-spiral harvesting roller brush rotation speed of 65 r/min, and a secondary cleaning brush speed of 110 r/min. Under these conditions, the harvester achieved a shellfish harvesting efficiency of 133.80 kg/h, with a clam breakage rate of 5.25% and a missing rate of 7.46%. Post-harvest analysis revealed a 65.13% reduction in mudflat shear strength at a depth of 50 mm and a juvenile clam return rate of 92.29%, contributing to sustainable aquaculture practices. These findings indicate that the harvester meets practical production requirements and provides a significant reference for the development of mechanized shellfish harvesting technologies in China.