Effect of shell diameter and shell thickness on coconut-shell-halving force

Design of any product is primarily based on the characteristics of various parameters that will be having direct influence on their functionality. The aim of this study is to understand the influence of physical parameters of coconuts, viz. shell diameter and shell thickness on the shell halving force, so that proper designing and development of an efficient energy efficient shell-splitting tool can be done. In line with this objective, experimental investigations have been carried out on 50 green and 50 dry fully matured coconuts to measure force needed in compression for rupturing the shell equatorially. The experimentations have been carried out using a Universal Testing Machine. Results suggest a negative correlation between shell diameter and shell halving force. However, influence of shell thickness on shell halving force has been found to be less significant. Combined analysis of the results suggests that coconuts having large shell diameter and small thickness require lower shell halving force.