Fracture investigation in starch based foods
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Skamniotis
Patel, Y
Charalambides, MN
Elliott, M
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The study of oral processing and specifically cutting of the food piece during mastication can lead towards optimisation of products for humans or animals. Food materials are complex bio-composites with highly nonlinear constitutive response. Their fracture properties have not been largely investigated as yet while the need for models capable of predicting food breakdown increases. In this study, the blade cutting and the essential work of fracture (EWF) methodologies assessed the fracture behaviour of starch based pet-food. Tensile tests revealed rate dependent stiffness and stress softening effects, attributed to viscoplasticity and micro-cracking, respectively. Cutting data were collected for 5, 10 and 30 mm/s sample feed rates, whereas the EWF tests were conducted at 1.7, 3.3 and 8.3 mm/s crosshead speeds corresponding to average crack speeds of 4, 7 and 15 mm/s respectively. A reasonable agreement was achieved between cutting and EWF, reporting 1.26, 1.78, 1.76 kJ/m² and 1.52, 1.37, 1.45 kJ/m² values, respectively, for the corresponding crack speeds. These toughness data were used in a novel numerical model simulating the ‘first’ bite mastication process. A viscoplastic material model is adopted for the food piece, combined with a damage law which enabled predicting fracture patterns in the product.
Date Issued
2016-04-22
Date Acceptance
2016-03-12
Citation
Interface Focus, 2016, 6 (3)
ISSN
2042-8901
Publisher
The Royal Society
Journal / Book Title
Interface Focus
Volume
6
Issue
3
Copyright Statement
© 2016 The Author(s). Published by the Royal Society. All rights reserved.
Sponsor
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC)
Mars Petcare UK
Grant Number
EP/E064841/1
2003625024
Subjects
Science & Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Biology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine - Other Topics
essential work of fracture
double edge-notched tensile
energy release rate
linear elastic fracture mechanics
viscoplastic
damage
ESSENTIAL WORK
DUCTILE FRACTURE
CARNIVORES MAMMALIA
MACHINING TESTS
BITE FORCES
TOUGHNESS
MECHANICS
POLYMERS
MORPHOLOGY
STRENGTH
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
20160005