John, Point taken. Yes the bales actually stiffen or put otherwise the modulas of E actually increases. This effect is the most marked in the initial phase of force application ie 3-7% deformation. In this phase the rough exterior faces are pressed into each other ie until the whole wall or single bale exhibits a more or less uniform density. John I have the impression both things are happening the strings are resisting bulging of the bales and more grain stalks on end. As you state the latter depends on the baling machine used. Most of the bales I have access to are quite random and obviously different to the tested german bales with a clear orientation. Rene On Aug 22, 2006, at 21:38, John Swearingen wrote:
I admit to taking liberties with the fine work being done, just to make a point, and I'm sure they are gathering information that will be useful to us all. It appears that what you're saying is that, for very high loads, the degree of deformation of the bales determines the carrying capacity. This is obviously the case with bales put in a wall, and I'm surmising that it's the reason that bales on edge perform better than laid flat--on edge, the strings act to constrain the bales from bulging along their width? Or does it have to do with the direction of the grain. If that's the case, then that needs to be pointed out, because different baling machines gather the stalks in different directions.