Finite element analysis report
Project Description
As my final project for my sophomore year Materials and Manufacturing course at Tufts, my friend Dorothy Waskow and I were tasked with doing finite element analysis on various models of the iWalk 2.0, an armless crutch. We evaluated 5 different models of the iWalk, ranging from extremely simple to very representative, in order to get an understanding of how the main support leg of the device performs in the “midstance” phase of walking.
For each model, I inserted the appropriate constraints and loads, ran the simulation, and exported the data to Excel. Using this data, I created graphs for the two variables we were investigating: normal stress, and y-displacement, from the bottom to the top of the beam. Some of the more complicated simulations and their appropriate graphs are displayed below. The report in its entirety is embedded at the bottom of the page.
This displacement graph showed that in the most complete model of the iWalk, the main beam bends in two directions under an offset load.
The visual representation of the stress data to the right.
The visual representation of the displacement data to the left.
This normal stress plot showed us that there was an equilibrium in the bending of the leg of the iWalk around the 275mm y-mark.