Mathematical model of mechanical behaviour of Jatropha curcas L. seeds under compression loading

The tangent curve function was used to develop mathematical models to describe the mechanical behaviour of Jatropha curcas L. seeds at different pressing vessel diameters and seed pressing heights under compression loading. Three different pressing vessel diameters; 60, 80 and 100 mm in relation to seed pressing heights; 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 mm were used. for the compression tests. Based on the statistical analysis results, the tangent curve function was fitted by determining the force coefficient of mechanical behaviour and coefficient of mechanical deformation behaviour described the deformation behaviour of the seed pressing heights of jatropha with respect to the pressing vessel diameter. In addition, the average stress coefficient of mechanical behaviour, average force coefficient of mechanical behaviour and average compression coefficient with respect to the pressing vessel diameter were all fitted by the general tangent curve equation. (C) 2012 IAgrE. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.