The finite element method applied to agricultural engineering: a review

Abstract

The use of numerical simulations has been widespread in many engineering fields and related areas. One of the main numerical methods used in modeling and simulations is the finite element method (FEM). Despite its wide dissemination, especially in mechanical and civil engineering, FEM has high potential to be applied in other areas, such as in agricultural engineering. This paper aims to present a review of the FEM applications in three agricultural engineering areas. This research is focused on agricultural mechanization, agricultural product processing and soil mechanics, since these are agricultural engineering areas with highest number of publications using FEM. As result, it is expected greater FEM dissemination in other agricultural engineering areas. In addition, modeling and simulation techniques can be widely used in order to represent the increasing behavior of agricultural machinery and products from real physical systems.