Finite element modal analysis approach to get the physical characteristics of biomaterials

• Grant number: 11/21622-4
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants - Publications - Scientific article
• Start date: December 01, 2011
• End date: May 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Food Science and Technology - Food Science
• Principal Investigator: Walter Ferreira Velloso Júnior
• Grantee: Walter Ferreira Velloso Júnior
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Pirassununga , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Abstract: The purpose of this work was apply the Modal Analysis as a method to measure materials physical characteristics. The method we used was a experimental vibro-photo-acoustic set-up assembled in order to measure rheological and thermal characteristics of biomaterials, in particular foods and vegetables as the sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum) and the bamboo (Bambusa spp). The basic idea was to measure the physical properties in function of the vegetable growing phase. To do this, we have constructed a small vibrational module (a kind of resonator or tuning fork) that can be loaded with a sample of the material to be analysed. The experimentally measured normal mode frequencies were compared with Finite Element model outputs in order to obtain, by iteration, the physical characteristics best values (the best model parameters). An optimization program (using a non-linear programming method) was used to obtain these best values. In this work we explain the experimental set-up and the numerical methods used. Results of validation tests allow conclude that the proposed method is adequate and precise to obtain the experimental purpose. Some preliminary values to bamboo and sugar cane are also compared with previous published values. (AU)