Deformation behaviour simulation of an apple under drop case by finite element method

• Published in: Journal of food engineering Vol. 104; no. 2; pp. 293 - 298
• Main Authors: Celik, H. Kursat, Rennie, Allan E.W., Akinci, Ibrahim
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2011; [New York, NY]: Elsevier Science Pub. Co; Elsevier
• Subjects: Apples; Biological and medical sciences; Computer simulation; Deformation; Drop test; Finite element method; Food engineering; Food industries; Fruit and vegetable industries; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Golden Delicious apple; High speed cameras; Mathematical analysis; Mathematical models; Organic materials; Finite element method; Organic materials; Drop test; Golden Delicious apple; Apple; Deformation; Fruit; Simulation; Organic material; Method; Finite element
• ISSN: 0260-8774; 1873-5770
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2010.12.020

This study focuses on the deformation behaviour of organic materials under a drop case. A Golden Delicious apple was chosen as the sample organic material. A three-dimensional (3D) scanner, high speed camera and finite element method (FEM) simulations were utilised to investigate drop case deformation events of the organic material. In total, 22 steps after impact were set up in the simulation by comparing high speed camera screen steps. Maximum equivalent stress of 0.416 MPa and maximum contact force (resultant normal force from rigid plane at impact) of 250.980 N were obtained from simulation results. Visual investigations and simulation results relating to deformations observed under the drop case, agreed well. This study contributes to further our understanding of fruit and vegetable damage/deformation by using computer aided engineering applications.