Testing and simulation of the three point bending anisotropic behaviour of hazelnut shells

In order to improve the performance of shelling machines, and to enhance the numerical modelling of anisotropic behaviour of hazelnuts shells, the mechanical properties of shells are useful experimental data. A procedure to obtain an effective numerical model and to calibrate anisotropic material properties by means of experimental testing is described. The procedure was applied to a commercial variety of Italian hazelnuts and the mechanical properties were experimentally obtained for shell on specimens obtained from conform hazelnuts. The numerical finite element model investigates single and double curvature geometry simulation performance of the shell specimens.