JOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESS ENGINEERING, cilt.40, sa.6, 2017 (SCI-Expanded)
This study, which is divided into two parts, introduces an explicit dynamics simulation procedure for Pecan fruit (Carya illinoinensis) deformation under compressive loading. An original application algorithm based on experimental and theoretical methods has been described in the study. The major aim of this Part 1 is to determine the modulus of elasticity through various calculation approaches for Pecan fruit. In addition to this, some engineering properties of the Pecan fruit components were determined to define them as simulation input parameters in an explicit dynamics deformation simulation which is detailed in the second part of the study. The original geometry of the Pecan fruit and its components were digitized using reverse engineering technology (three-dimensional [3D] laser scanning). Force-deformation data, which can describe the physical deformation characteristics of the Pecan fruit components, was collected through experimental compression tests. Initial crack points for the Pecan shell (kernel-in-shell) in these tests were measured as 335.62, 239.42, and 165.03N for longitudinal, transverse, and suture orientations, respectively. Hooke's, Hertz's, and Boussinesq's theories and finite element method simulation based linear prediction approach based modulus of elasticity calculations were realized. Results from these calculations revealed that loading orientation is an important factor and there were differences between the results of calculation theories (15.2% on average).