| Abstract |
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In this study, some selected engineering properties of two improved varieties of cowpea (Sampea 7 and Tvx 3236) grown in Nigeria were determined. The properties of Sampea 7 are: Length (9.48 ± 1.46 mm), width (6.75 ± 0.66 mm), thickness (5.35 ± 0.73 mm), roundness (2.38 ± 0.28), sphericity (3.64 ± 0.46), mass (48.0 ± 10.0 g), volume (1.04 ± 0.26 mm3), density (1.00 ± 0.28 kg/m3), surface area (10.74 ± 1.78 cm2), angle of internal friction (11.05 ± 2.07°), angle of repose (20.50± 2.38º) and moisture content (7.01 ± 0.05% db). The compressive strength, tensile strength, abrasive strength, shear strength and torsion strength of Sampea 7 are 66.25 ±16.12 N, 65.53 ±15.51 N, 64.55 ±14.55 N, 65.20 ±15.50 N and 65.00 ±16.10 N, respectively while its hardness is 7.98 ± 0.03 kg. The properties of Tvx 3236 are: Length (7.76 ± 0.56 mm), width (5.25 ± 0.14 mm), thickness (4.11 ± 0.42 mm), roundness (1.42 ± 0.14), sphericity (5.12 ± 1.00), mass (32.0 ± 8.0 g), volume (0.70 ± 0.10 mm3), density (0.48 ± 0.20 kg/m3), surface area (8.80 ± 1.02 cm2), angle of internal friction (9.23 ± 1.58°), angle of repose (21.05± 1.26º) and moisture content (6.7± 0.22%db). The compressive strength, tensile strength, abrasive strength, shear strength and torsion strength for Tvx 3236 are 93.65 ±13.62 N, 93.55 ±13.71 N, 92.56 ±13.70 N, 93.50 ±13.60 N and 92.75 ±13.65 N, respectively while its hardness is 11.96 ± 3.57 kg. Statistical tests on the properties showed that dimensions, compressive strength, tensile strength, hardness, abrasive strength, shear strength and torsion strength of the two cowpea varieties are highly significant at 5% level; roundness, sphericity, volume, surface area and angle of internal friction are significant at 5% level; while mass, density, angle of repose and moisture content are not significant at 5% level. |
