In this study the viability of obtaining the corn compression modulus through an elastic structural analysis was investigated using force versus time data from grain impact tests. The moduli of elasticity of shelled corn at different moisture contents submitted to various impact velocities were determined. The moduli were obtained through an optimization process using the finite element technique. Two kinds of modulus were obtained: (a) an effective modulus for the grain and (b) a modulus for each one of the three regions, with different characteristics, in which the grain was divided. The moisture content and the impact velocity affected the modulus values. The moduli values for grains at 13.4% wet basis (w.b.) were higher than those for grains at 20.0% w.b. The analysis used for the modulus seems to be more adequate for grains at 13.4% w.b. The grains at this moisture content present elastic characteristics while those at 20.0% w.b. present a viscoelastic behavior.
elastic modulus; optimization; finite elements
