Physical and mechanical properties of biological materials

Abstract

A relevant characteristic of agricultural products is the close association between their complex geometry and material constitution. A study of the mechanical behavior of biological materials should involve a detailed analysis of the laws of solid mechanics, particularly of hereditary integrals and analogical models. Moreover, volume, surface, and shape surveys of plant organs support, on a fundamental level, the development of equipment capable of processing and handling these products with adequate precision. Quality determination of agricultural products is a dynamic process, as part of which interactive and non-invasive techniques are relevant. Accordingly, this review targets pertinent literature associated with the analysis of physical as well as mechanical properties of vegetative materials. Following this, the review covers scientific advances associated with techniques employed to study the physical and mechanical behavior of vegetative tissues and how these techniques can support engineering projects. Finally, the conclusions present an analysis of the importance of these new techniques and their applications to the agricultural sciences.