Hi everyone,
I’m currently working on my final thesis regarding the structural analysis and optimization of a running-specific prosthesis.
I’m at the stage of creating the base CAD model in SolidWorks for a subsequent FEA validation. My main goal is to replicate the stiffness data from literature and then iterate the geometry to optimize the energy return. I need to be able to change the "C-shape" aggressiveness multiple times to find the optimal stiffness. Currently, I’m torn between two modeling strategies for the guide curve and I’d love some advice on robustness and ease of iteration:
- Tangent Arcs: It’s much easier to dimension and keep the sketch fully defined. However, I’m concerned about sudden changes in curvature radius and how it might create artificial stress concentrations or meshing issues at the transition points during large deflection analysis.
- Style Splines (B-Splines): Seems better for a carbon fiber blade. The problem is making it "optimization-friendly".
In general, I find it hard to dimension accurately so that I can change the curvature later without the whole CAD measures going crazy to mantain tangencies. It's important to mention that it's a variable thickness prosthesis.
Any comments/advice is welcome! Thanks in advance.
(Current state of it)