Abstract
This dissertation presents an optimisation of a male pyramid socket adapter used on a
transtibial prosthetic for enhanced fatigue life. The current design was investigated by
Finite Element Analyses in combination with the load criteria set by the ISO
10328:2006 standard. The geometry was optimised without an increase in weight to
reduce the maximum first principal stress from 773,91 MPa to 578,41 MPa while
adhering to the industry standards for pyramid socket adapter design. Experimental
testing were conducted to evaluate the optimization. Both the current and optimised
designs where manufactured from a single billet of Grade 5 Titanium (Ti6Al4V) and
subjected to low-cycle fatigue testing to simulate a resultant knee bending moment. The
fatigue analysis indicated an improvement in fatigue life of approximately 290% for
the optimized design for the load case evaluated.
M.Ing. (Mechanical Engineering)