Non-Destructive Eggshell Strength Assessment Using Hertz Contact Theory-Part II: Implementation and Validation

Eggshell strength is a critical quality factor for consumption eggs as it affects the probability of breakage in practice. In this study, a fast and low-cost methodology for the non-destructive determination of eggshell strength is presented. The method utilized a small steel ball to impact the egg and a microphone to analyse the impact characteristics. Hertz contact theory was applied to relate the measured impact characteristics to the local stiffness of the eggshell. Therefore, a total of 150 eggs were studied on which eight consecutive measurements per egg were taken around the equator at equidistant places. The results showed a strong correlation of 0.93 between the traditional static stiffness measured during quasi-static compression tests and the average stiffness obtained from the new methodology. This paves the way towards fast, low-cost and non-destructive in-line shell strength measurements to reduce the number of cracked eggs reaching the consumer.

Automated summary

A fast and low-cost method for the non-destructive determination of eggshell strength was presented in this study. The method used a small steel ball to impact the egg and a microphone to analyze the impact characteristics, and applied Hertz contact theory to relate the measured impact characteristics to the local stiffness of the eggshell. The results showed a strong correlation of 0.93 between the traditional static stiffness measured during quasi-static compression tests and the average stiffness obtained from the new methodology. This paves the way for fast, low-cost, and non-destructive in-line shell strength measurements to reduce the number of cracked eggs reaching the consumer.