Free fall analysis of orange fruit using numerical and experimental methods

Abstract

In this research, the behavior of orange fruit under impact cases was investigated by finite-element modeling in SolidWorks simulation and experimental dropping tests. The values of 0.584 MPa and 0.24 were experimentally determined for modulus of elasticity and Poisson’s ratio as a pre-requirement for simulation. In the simulation tests, orange fruits were dropped from two different heights of 2 and 3 m with a drop angle of 45° relatives to a rigid plane. Experimental tests were also conducted to validate simulation results. Maximum equivalent stress and contact force were obtained from simulation results 0.5826 MPa and 14.95 N, respectively.