• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.113-122
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• 1986

In order to promote mechanization of corn harvesting in Korea, this study was conducted to find out the effect of moisture content on compressive properties such as force, deformation, energy and modulus of stiffness to the bioyield and the rupture point for Korean corn kernel. In this study, the loading positions of corn were flat, edge, longitude and the moisture contents were about 13, 17, 21, 25% in wet basis. The compression test was carreied out with flat plate by use of dynamic straingage for three varieties of Korean corn under quasi-static force when the loading rate was 1.125mm/min. The results of this study are summarized as follows; 1. When the moisture content of corn ranged from 12.5 to 24.5 percent, at flat position, the bioyied force was in the range of 13.63-26.73 kg and the maximum compressive strength was in the range of 21.55-47.65kg. Their values were reached minimum at about 17% and maximum at about 21% moisture content. The bioyield force was in the range of 13.58-6.70kg at edge position and the maximum compressive strength which was 16.42 to 7.82kg at edge position was lower than that which was 18.55-9.05kg at longitudinal position. 2. Deformation of corn varied from 0.43 to 1.37 mm at bioyield point and from 0.70 to 2.66mm at rupture point between 12.5 to 24.5% moisture content. As the moisture content increased, deformation was increased. 3. The moduli of resilience and toughness of corn ranged from 2.60 to 8.57kg. mm and from 6.41 to 34.36kg. mm when the moisture content ranged from 12.5 to 24.5 percent, respectively. As the moisture content increased, the modulus of toughness was increased at edge position and decreased at longitudinal position. And their values were equal each other at 22-23% moisture content. 4. The modulus of stiffness was decreased with increase in the moisture content. Its values ranged from 32.07 to 5.86 kg/mm at edge position and from 42.12 to 18.68kg/mm at flat position, respectively. Also, the values of Suweon 19 were higher than those of Buyeo. 5. It was considered that the compressive properties of corn at flat position were more important on the design data for corn harvesting and processing machinery than those of edge or longitudinal position. Also, grinding energy would be minimized when a corn was processed between about 12.5 to 17% moisture content and corn damage would be reduced when a corn was handled between about 19 to 24% moisture content in wet basis.