Method for the design and analysis of a non-linear anisotropic lower limb prosthetic socket.
A simplified computer-based structural analysis procedure has been developed for evaluating the stresses in a lower limb prosthetic socket when subjected to external loads. This technique has been tested by studying a simple linear axisymmetric shell subjected to uniform loads. It was found that the stress and strain distribution obtained are close to those determined by a finite element technique. The method that has been proposed involves an incremental procedure, which can be used to analyse the behaviour of a prosthetic socket of irregular shape made from non-linear anisotropic materials. By employing the proposed procedure to study an example, in which a simplified lower limb prosthetic socket is subject to internal pressure and frictional forces, the effects of the material non-linearity have been found to be significant.
Soh
A K
AK
School of Mechanical Engineering, Nanyang Technological Institute, Singapore.
Soh
C K
CK
Lau
W S
WS
D001186:Artificial Limbs; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004548:Elasticity; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008838:Microcomputers; D008954:Models, Biological; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012984:Software; D013314:Stress, Mechanical