An extended finite element model for fracture mechanical response of tomato fruit

Fresh fruit micro-rupture generally occurs during mechanical handling, which severely affects the product’s postharvest quality along supply chain. An extended finite element (XFEM) model was developed for investigating fracture response of tomato under compression. A 1/4 modeled using three parts: exocarp, mesocarp and septa frame, pre-crack. amplitude curve-based uniformly distributed pressure load applied over internal surface locule replacing change liquid in compression simulation. The XFEM-based cohesive segments method conjunction with Phantom nodes used to simulate initiation propagation pre-crack model. It assumed that tissues were linear elastic ideally brittle solid materials before fracture, tissue energy independent size geometry cracked specimen, met a traction-separation behavior, crack followed maximum principal stress criterion evolution softening law mode-independent energy-based criterion. peak force applying predicted as 0.02 MPa when virtually started propagate. XFEM found be capable reproducing force-percentage deformation behavior well up 28 % an average relative error about 8 %. Both simulation experiment data showed rapid percentage more than 20 Furthermore, length sensitive mechanics (e.g., modulus, Poisson’s ratio, failure stress, energy) exocarp mesocarp. This study demonstrates application novel tool understand how rupture loading varies at different conditions ripeness), extent are important improving or developing new handling technologies.