Measuring internal stresses that cause bruise inside of fruit is extremely difficult. An alternative approach is to estimate the stresses using finite element analysis (FEA). In this research, tow finite element models of watermelon were developed to investigate pressure injuries. Pressure was simulated for tow orientations of the fruit: longitudinal and transversal; for thickness of the rind from 0.6 mm to 1.8 mm. The validations of the FEA models were made based on a comparison of theoretical calculations and experimental data. FEA results indicated that the internal fleshes of watermelons were the main structural sites prone to fail mechanically after pressure. The simulated patterns of failure closely agree with those observed after subjecting fruits to compressive loading. Based on FEA, it is necessary that the magnitude of load on watermelon was maintained below 10 pre cent of force that caused its rind cracking.

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