Simulation of a Tomato Sample Using Finite Element Method

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to investigate deformation behavior of the tomato fruit (hereafter tomato) upon crashing. To achieve this, a 3D simulation was used to generate a model of tomato using finite element method and then compared with experimental results. For finite element modeling with software, some mechanical properties of tomato justly punching from limited sides (head, bottom, two sides, and four sides) must be determined with compression test. To this goal, an apparatus according to Bussinesk method was manufactured. A comparison between experimental data and finite element simulation showed that the two sets of results agree well.