Towards Modeling and Analyzing Stem Lodging for Two Contrasting Rice Cultivars

Mechanical properties of two contrasting rice cultivars, P64S/E32 and SY63, were measured using 3-point bending tests performed on segments taken at the base and top of plant stems. The parameters of an elastic-plastic material constitutive law were fitted using a finite beam element model reproducing the 3-point bending tests. Both measured data and constitutive laws were compared between cultivars. The finite element model was used to perform numerical analyses of 3D virtual rice lodging. The results showed that there is a significant difference between the material properties of the two rice cultivars, P64S/E32 being more resistant than SY63 due to both material and structural characteristics.