Development of a Finite Element Method Model to Determine Mechanical Behavior of Pumpkin Seed

In food process simulation studies, geometrical characterization of agricultural produce is extremely difficult due to their irregular shapes. Further simplifications and assumptions can be applied to overcome this problem. Also, applying 3D scanners may easily and realistically lead to more accurate results from simulations. The aim of this work was to study this discrepancy in the obtained values of the elastic parameters of organic materials under a compression case using a finite element method and experimental data. The Zaria variety of pumpkin seed was chosen as a typical sample of an organic material. A 3D scanner, high speed camera, and simulations using a finite element method were used to investigate modulus of elasticity, force, energy, and stress distribution of the pumpkin seed under the condition of parallel plate compression. The results of a compression test were used as experimental analysis. The force/deformation curve generated by the finite element method modeling matched the curve from the experimental test remarkably well up to 0.9 mm combined deformation and showed that the finite element method can be used to describe accurately mechanical behavior of pumpkin seed under compression.