Development and validation of a finite element model of an apple fruit cell

A three-dimensional finite element model of an apple parenchyma cell was de veloped based on measured cell geometry. The cell wall was modelled using t hin shell finite elements. Turgor pressure was represented by a distributed force on the cell wall internal surface, resulting in eel wall stresses pr ior to the application of external loads. Simulation results agreed closely with experimental measurement of volumetric elastic modulus and with resul ts from geometrically simple analytical models. Because the model's results agree with published data from multiple sources, we believe this validated model is a useful tool in the investigation of apple cell properties. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.