Modeling of mass transfer and initiation of hygroscopically induced cracks in rice grains in a thermally controlled soaking condition: With dependency of diffusion coefficient to moisture content and temperature - A 3D finite element approach

► 3D modeling of moisture diffusion and initiation of moisture induced crack in rice. ► Diffusion coefficients modeled as a function of moisture content and temperature. ► Modeling results perfectly fitted the diffusion of moisture and increase in volume. ► Highly stressed sites vulnerable to crack initiation have been clearly identified.