A Practical Method to Model Complex Three-Dimensional Geometries with Non-Uniform Material Properties Using Image-based Design and COMSOL Multiphysics®

J. Cepeda[1], S. Birla[2], J. Subbiah[2], H. Thippareddi[1]
[1]Department of Food Science & Technology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, USA
[2]Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, USA
Publié en 2013

Geometries with heterogeneous material properties are typically defined as a set of multiple parts, each part representing a different material. However, assembling or defining the individual parts of complex geometries can be difficult. A practical method based on image-based mesh generation, a custom algorithm for labeling materials, and interpolation functions of COMSOL Multiphysics® can be used to mesh complex geometries and to assign heterogeneous material properties without the challenge of assembling multiple parts. A case study demonstrates how the method was used to mesh a chicken carcass and to define the material properties of the meat, bones, and internal cavity sections without the need of assembling. The resulting mesh was used in a model to simulate air-cooling of poultry carcasses.