Creep properties of Hetao muskmelon under static loading

The virtual prototyping technology on the platform of Automatic Dynamic Analysis of Mechanical System(ADAMS) software was applied combining with the experimental results to set up a simulated creep model and constitutive equation in order to solve the problem of creep damage and quality decline of Hetao muskmelon under static loading during postharvest storage and transportation. The creep parameters, such as instantaneous rigidity coefficient μ₁, delay rigidity coefficient μ₂, viscoce coefficient η₁ and η₂, and relay time T_rel were all obtained through running the simulated creep model. The results show that the stiffness of fruit significantly affectes recovery of creep deformation, residual deformation and deforming rate. Temperature significantly affectes residual deformation and deforming rate, and static load significantly affectes instantaneous deformation and deforming rate. The results also indicate that there is not a continuous increase in instantaneous deformation with the increase of maturity of the fruits under low temperature but there is a continuous increase under high temperature. It is suggested that both low temperature and less loading should be taken during storage and transportation for the mature fruits in order to reduce the creep damage due to residual deformation. Either proper high temperature(such as room temperature) may be adapted for the less mature fruits out of an economical view, or less loading should be taken to avoid a continuous creep deformation during storage and transportation.