International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)
e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 12 Issue: 08 | Aug 2025
p-ISSN: 2395-0072
www.irjet.net
Experimental Validation of Friction-Based Load Stability Models for Sugarcane Transportation Safety Jai Kashyap, Student, The Shri Ram School Aravali, Haryana, India ---------------------------------------------------------------------***--------------------------------------------------------------------Despite the economic significance, comprehensive Abstract - Sugarcane transportation in India faces
research on sugarcane transportation safety remains limited, particularly regarding the physics of load stability during transport maneuvers. While general road safety research in India addresses the country's 250,000 annual road fatalities, specific studies on agricultural load displacement and stability are notably absent from the literature [2]. This research gap becomes particularly concerning given that sugarcane trolley-related accidents occur regularly during crushing seasons, with districtlevel reports indicating approximately 20 incidents per season requiring administrative intervention [3].
significant challenges with post-harvest losses reaching 2030% of total sucrose content, partly due to load displacement during transport. This study presents a comprehensive experimental validation of theoretical models predicting cylindrical object stability during transportation maneuvers. Using a 1:20 scaled experimental setup with ballpoint pens as cylindrical test objects, we analyzed lateral displacement behavior under controlled acceleration conditions. Position-time data from 81 measurement points revealed critical acceleration thresholds of 0.847g for displacement initiation, comparing favorably with theoretical predictions of 0.821g based on friction coefficient analysis. The scaled model demonstrated strong correlation (R² = 0.923) between experimental and theoretical results, validating the applicability of physics-based models for predicting sugarcane stability. Results indicate that maintaining transport accelerations below 0.75g during turning maneuvers can prevent 89% of displacement incidents, providing practical guidelines for agricultural transport operators. This research addresses a critical gap in agricultural transportation safety literature and offers evidence-based recommendations for reducing the Rs 3,500 per day per 100 tonnes losses currently experienced by Indian sugarcane farmers.
The physics of cylindrical object stability during transportation involves complex interactions between friction forces, centripetal acceleration, and surface contact dynamics. Sugarcane stalks, being essentially cylindrical objects, are particularly susceptible to displacement during turning maneuvers when centripetal forces exceed the restraining friction forces. Understanding these dynamics through controlled experimentation and theoretical validation provides the foundation for developing practical safety guidelines. This study addresses the critical research gap by conducting controlled experiments using a scaled model approach to validate theoretical predictions of cylindrical object stability during transportation. The research objectives include: (1) developing mathematical models for predicting displacement thresholds based on friction and centripetal force analysis, (2) validating these models through scaled experimental testing, (3) analyzing the relationship between acceleration conditions and displacement probability, and (4) providing practical recommendations for agricultural transport operators.
Key Words: sugarcane transport, load stability, friction analysis, experimental validation, agricultural safety, cylindrical objects, centripetal forces, scaled modeling
1.INTRODUCTION India's sugarcane industry contributes significantly to the agricultural economy, with transportation playing a crucial role in maintaining crop quality and farmer profitability. Current post-harvest losses of 20-30% of total sucrose content represent a substantial economic burden, with farmers experiencing monetary losses of Rs 3,500 per day per 100 tonnes due to various factors including transportation-related damage and displacement [1]. The critical 24-hour window from harvest to processing makes efficient and safe transportation paramount for preserving crop quality and maximizing economic returns.
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2. LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK 2.1 Current state of agricultural transportation safety research The agricultural transportation safety landscape in India reveals significant challenges with limited specific research on load stability dynamics. Road safety statistics show 155,622 fatalities in 2021, with 78.4% of accidents attributed to driver factors including overspeeding during turning maneuvers [4]. Agricultural vehicles,
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