• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.623-631
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• 2003

It is considered that the application of advanced composite materials to the prostheses for the disables is important to improve their bio-mechanical performance. Particularly, energy storing foot prosthesis is mostly important to restore gait ability of the disables with low-extremity amputation since it could provide propulsion at terminal stance enhancing the disables ability to walk long distance even run and jump. Therefore, the energy storing spring of Prosthetic foot keel under cyclic bending moment use mainly of high strength glass fiber reinforced plastic. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the stacking sequence effect using the delamination growth rate(dA$_{D}$/dN) of energy storing spring in glass fiber reinforced plastic under cyclic bending moment. The test results indicated that the shape of delamination zone depends on stacking sequence in GFRP laminates. Delamination area(A$_{D}$) turns out that variable types with the contour increased non-linearly toward the damage zones.nes.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.24 no.3 s.174
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• pp.613-624
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• 2000

In this study, new design method of prosthetic foot was suggested which can evaluate the performance of prosthetic foot by implementing amputee's gait simulation using the finite element analysis. The basic shape of ESPF(Energy Storing Prosthetic Foot) was designed which is suitable for the below-knee amputee considering mechanical properties and kinematic properties. And, the performance evaluations were performed using the Taguchi method with orthogonal array L25. As a result, average main effect of factors for the ESPF's performance were calculated and then optimum condition of given shape was selected. Essential particulars for the performance evaluation from the simulation result were the quantity of external work needed in stance phase, the quantity of transferred energy from the ESPF through the knee, and the vertical displacement of knee at toe-off. Reasonable optimum condition was obtained from the using performance index. From this study, it was found that it is necessary for the design of ESPF to consider the geometrical data related to the magnitude of load on elastic material.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.30 no.7
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• pp.769-776
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• 2013

The dynamic compliance characteristics of a prosthetic foot midgait are very important for natural performance in an amputee's gait and should be in a range that provides natural, stable walking. In this study, finite element analysis (FEA) and classical laminate theory were used to examine the mechanical characteristics of a carbon-epoxy composite laminate prosthetic foot as a function of variation in the lamination composition. From this analysis, an FEM model of a prosthetic keel, made from the composite material, was developed. The lamination composition of the keel was designed for improved stiffness. The prototype product was fabricated using an autoclave. Vertical loading response tests were performed to verify the simulation model. The results of the experiments were similar to those from simulations below the loading level of the gait, suggesting use of the proposed simulation model for prosthetic keel design.