Optimization Studies of Trans-tibial Prostheses: Numerical Models and Experimental Tests

This paper describes the work done at the Department of Mechanics in collaboration with INAIL, on a particular type of transtibial prosthesis. The discussed topics are different: firstly, an adaptable test bench was designed, in accordance with the standard, to run static strength and fatigue tests on the transtibial prostheses. By means this equipment, it is possible to perform tests on the prosthesis and on its individual components. After the description of some static tests, the prosthesis is also analysed by numerical finite element (FE) simulations, performing structural analyses and simulating the experimental tests carried out using the bench. The numerical results of strains and displacements are compared with the corresponding experimental values measured on the prosthesis. The comparison allows validating the numerical models, which become a reliable and secure tool to perform optimizations varying the geometry and materials of the prosthesis.