Finite Element Modeling and Trial Product of the Sports Prosthesis for Long Jump

Abstract

We are now developing a sports prosthesis for long jump that is optimized by the motion simulation. In the motion simulation, however, it is difficult to fully evaluate material strength of the proposed prosthesis. The purpose of this study is to investigate material strength property of the prosthesis using both of a finite element model and trial products. The first actual trial product of the prosthesis was based on the shape of the existing sports prosthesis, and the prosthesis was made of 81 pre-preg sheets for carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP). The results showed the finite element model could endure the reaction force of the jump, although the actual trail product could not. The reason for this is that the amount of resin contained in the CFRP is small. The second trial prosthesis was made of the CFRP containing the resin more. The shape of the prosthesis was optimized by the motion simulation. The prosthesis was made of 40 pre-preg sheets for CFRP. The results of compression test showed the second trial product could not endure the reaction force of the jump. The reason for this is that the rigidity of the entire the prosthesis is low.