Finite element approach for simulating the dynamic mechanical behaviour of a chicken egg

A numerical investigation of the structural acoustic behaviour of a chicken egg was carried out. A three-dimensional finite element (FE) model was developed to simulate both the dynamic behaviour of the eggshell and the fluid loading of the inside fluid. The aim was to analyse the effects of variations in certain geometrical and material parameters of the egg on the structural acoustic frequency response functions. It was found that geometrical modifications (eggshell thickness, size of the egg) had a considerable influence on the fluid structure coupled natural frequencies. In general, variations of material characteristics did not have much influence on dynamic behaviour. However, the Young's modulus of the eggshell strongly affected the natural frequencies of the coupled system. The results obtained were used to interpret experimentally observed relationships. (C) 2010 IAgrE. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.