Journal article
Analysis and evaluation of a fruit bin for apples
Journal of food science and technology, Vol.51(12), pp.3722-3730
12/2014
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/109424
PMCID: PMC4252415
PMID: 25477638
Abstract
A fruit bin is an essential part of apple harvesting, storage, and transport. The lateral pressure distribution on the bin walls by apples in the bin are not well understood, thus making it harder to predict the behavior of the vertical walls of the bin. In this study, a bin was loaded with apples and deflections of the base and a vertical wall were experimentally measured and then modeled using finite element methods to understand typical static load distribution. One of the factors determining the accuracy of an analytical model is accurate representation of load distribution on the structure. A mathematical model was used to validate the lateral pressure distribution applied by the apples on the vertical walls and the bottom plate of the bin. The effect of unit weight of an apple and the angle of repose of apples on load distribution in the bin has been analyzed. Angle of repose is found to be a significant parameter for the lateral pressure distribution on the bin walls. A nonlinear lateral pressure distribution was observed along the depth from top to bottom of the bin. The resulting finite element model allows for comparison of deformation behavior of fruit bins constructed with a variety of materials, such as plywood, wood plastic composites, or a thermoplastic polymer. Although this study dealt with bins for apples, the sensitivity analyses for a range of unit weights and angles of repose for apples makes the analysis results versatile for use with other kinds of fruits and vegetables that fall within the reported range of unit weight and angle of repose.
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Details
- Title
- Analysis and evaluation of a fruit bin for apples
- Creators
- Md Alam - Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Washington State University Pullman WA 99164-2910 USAVikram Yadama - Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Washington State University Pullman WA 99164-2910 USAWilliam Cofer - Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Washington State University Pullman WA 99164-2910 USAKarl Englund - Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Washington State University Pullman WA 99164-2910 USA
- Publication Details
- Journal of food science and technology, Vol.51(12), pp.3722-3730
- Academic Unit
- Composite Materials and Engineering Center; Civil and Environmental Engineering, Department of
- Publisher
- Springer India; India
- Identifiers
- 99900547474401842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article