Dynamics and damage analysis of blueberry fruit collisions

Authors

  • Yudong Bao 1. Key Laboratory of Advanced Manufacturing and Intelligent Technology, Ministry of Education, Harbin University of Science and Technology, Harbin 150080, China; 2. School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Harbin University of Science and Technology, Harbin 150080, China
  • Jiasai Zeng 1. Key Laboratory of Advanced Manufacturing and Intelligent Technology, Ministry of Education, Harbin University of Science and Technology, Harbin 150080, China; 2. School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Harbin University of Science and Technology, Harbin 150080, China
  • Yuying Liu 1. Key Laboratory of Advanced Manufacturing and Intelligent Technology, Ministry of Education, Harbin University of Science and Technology, Harbin 150080, China; 2. School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Harbin University of Science and Technology, Harbin 150080, China

Abstract

Fruits are easily damaged by collision during mechanical harvesting of blueberries, affecting quality. In this study, theoretical analysis, numerical simulation, and experimental verification are comprehensively employed to investigate the mechanical behavior and damage mechanism of blueberry fruit collisions. A nonlinear collision dynamics model for fruits is constructed based on Hertzian theory; the collision force is found to be related to the mass, the coefficient of restitution, the material properties of the collided object, and the collision velocity. A discrete element simulation model was created, as was a finite element simulation model. The fruit collision type was determined, and the analysis showed that when the collision velocity of the fruit-rigid plate collision model was increased from 1 m/s to 3 m/s, the peak contact stress increased from 64 000 Pa to 110 000 Pa, the peak collision force increased from 1.85 N to 6.75 N, and the damage volume increased from 152.72 mm3 to 459.42 mm3, which is more likely to trigger compared to the fruit-fruit collision model plastic deformation. Through the collision test it was determined that blueberry fruit can withstand a maximum collision force in the range of 2.00-3.00 N. More than 300 mm of drop height will cause the damage surface ratio to increase dramatically. The results of the study identified the key factors and thresholds affecting damage, providing a theoretical basis for reducing the damage rate of blueberry fruit and also providing a reference for the mechanical harvesting of other berry fruits.      

Keywords: blueberry, mechanical harvesting, collision mechanics, fruit damage

DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20261902.10030

 

Citation: Bao Y D, Zeng J S, Liu Y Y. Dynamics and damage analysis of blueberry fruit collisions. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2026; 19(2): 39–48.

References

[1] Jiménez-Jiménez F, Castro-García S, Blanco-Roldán G L, Ferguson L, Rosa U A, Gil-Ribes J A. Table olive cultivar susceptibility to impact bruising. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 2013; 86: 100–106.

[2] Stopa R, Szyjewicz D, Komarnicki P, Kuta Ł. Determining the resistance to mechanical damage of apples under impact loads. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 2018; 146: 79–89.

[3] Yan D, Luo L F, Zhang P, Liu W T, Wang J X, Lu Q H, et al. Vibration analysis and experimental study of the effects of mechanised grape picking on the fruit–stem system. Biosystems Engineering, 2023; 227: 82–94.

[4] Hussein Z, Fawole O A, Opara U L. Preharvest factors influencing bruise damage of fresh fruits – A review. Scientia Horticulturae, 2018; 229: 45–58.

[5] Hu S W, Guo X L. A dissipative contact force model for impact analysis in multibody dynamics. Multibody Syst Dyn, 2015; 35: 131–151.

[6] Alaci S, Filote C, Ciornei F-C, Grosu O V, Raboaca M S. An analytical solution for non-linear viscoelastic impact. Mathematics, 2021; 9（6）: 1849.

[7] Zheng Q J, Zhu H P, Yu A B. Finite element analysis of the contact forces between a viscoelastic sphere and rigid plane. Powder Technology, 2012; 226: 130–142.

[8] Lapshin V L, Zenkov E V, Yashenko V P. A three-mass viscoelastic plastic model used for studying mechanics and dynamics of shock interaction of solid bodies in determining the mechanical characteristics of building materials. IOP Conf Ser: Earth Environ Sci, 2021; 751: 012103.

[9] Yousefi S, Farsi H, Kheiralipour K. Drop test of pear fruit: Experimental measurement and finite element modelling. Biosystems Engineering, 2016; 147: 17–25.

[10] Dintwa E, Van Zeebroeck M, Ramon H, Tijskens E. Finite element analysis of the dynamic collision of apple fruit. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 2008; 49（2）: 260–276.

[11] Wang W Z, Zhang S M, Fu H, Lu H Z, Yang Z. Evaluation of litchi impact damage degree and damage susceptibility. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 2020; 173: 105409.

[12] Zhang S M, Wang W Z, Wang Y F, Fu H, Yang Z. Improved prediction of litchi impact characteristics with an energy dissipation model. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 2021; 176: 111508.

[13] Du D D, Wang B, Wang J, Yao F Q, Hong X Z. Prediction of bruise susceptibility of harvested kiwifruit （Actinidia chinensis） using finite element method. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 2019; 152: 36–44.

[14] Hou J, Park B, Li C, Wang X. A multiscale computation study on bruise susceptibility of blueberries from mechanical impact. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 2024; 208: 112660.

[15] Cao J L, Bai X P, Xu D C, Li W B, Chen C C. Experiment and analysis on walnut （Juglans regia L.） shedding force based on low-frequency vibration response. Industrial Crops and Products, 2023; 204: 117242.

[16] Zhuo P, Li Y X, Wang B S, Jiao H B, Wang P, Li C S, et al. Analysis and experimental study on vibration response characteristics of mechanical harvesting of jujube. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 2022; 203: 107446.

[17] Lyu X M, Wang H B, Xu G F, Chu C. Research on fruit picking test of blueberry harvesting machinery under transmission clearance. Heliyon, 2024; 10（15）: e34740.

[18] Diels E, Odenthal T, Keresztes J, Vanmaercke S, Verboven P, Nicolaï B, et al. Development of a visco-elastoplastic contact force model and its parameter determination for apples. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 2016; 120: 157–166.

[19] Lu R, Puri V M. Characterization of nonlinear creep behavior of two food products. Journal of Rheology, 1991; 35: 1209–1233.

[20] Bao Y D, Yang J, Zhao Y L, Liu X L, Liang Z, Guo Y L. Numerical simulation of mechanically harvested blueberry based on EDEM. Journal of Harbin University of Science and Technology, 2020; 25（3）: 88–93. （in Chinese）.

Downloads

Published

2026-05-21

How to Cite

(1)
Bao, Y.; Zeng, J.; Liu, Y. Dynamics and Damage Analysis of Blueberry Fruit Collisions. Int J Agric & Biol Eng 2026, 19, 39-48.

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 2 (2026): IJABE

Section

Applied Science, Engineering and Technology

License

Copyright (c) 2026 International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

IJABE is an international peer reviewed, open access journal, adopting Creative Commons Copyright Notices as follows.

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

  1. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
  2. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
  3. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).