Theoretical equations were developed for calculating the apparent elastic modulus and the strength of corn cob under quasi-static radial compression and simple bending. An empirical equation was derived for calculating its modulus of toughness. / Experimental justification was provided for the application of the Hertz linear elastic contact theory in determining cob mechanical properties in radial compression, since the cob is a composite of three inelastic materials. / In simple bending, the basic flexure formula was modified to account for the composite and tapered structure of the cob. / The relative contributions of the macro-structural components of the corn cob to its mechanical properties were determined. / Cob mechanical properties were found to be significantly affected by corn variety, harvest date and moisture content, but not by loading rate. Further experimental investigations showed that the cob mechanical properties were much dependent on fertilizer type and application rate but less dependent on soil type and condition.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:QMM.68492 |
| Date | January 1980 |
| Creators | Anazodo, Uche Godwin Nzuko̥. |
| Publisher | McGill University |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Coverage | Doctor of Philosophy (Department of Agricultural Engineering) |
| Rights | All items in eScholarship@McGill are protected by copyright with all rights reserved unless otherwise indicated. |
| Relation | alephsysno: 000594246, proquestno: AAINK50379, Theses scanned by UMI/ProQuest. |
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