• Title/Summary/Keyword: Leg stiffness

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The Mechanism Study of Gait on a Load and Gender Difference

  • Ryew, Checheong;Hyun, Seunghyun
    • International Journal of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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    • v.13 no.1
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    • pp.47-53
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    • 2021
  • Gait kinematics and kinetics have a similar tendency between men and women, yet it remains unclear how walking while carrying a load affects the gait mechanism. Twenty adults walked with preferred velocity on level ground of 20 m relative to change of a load carriage (no load, 15%, 30% of the body weights) aimed to observe gait mechanism. We measured gait posture using the three-dimensional image analysis and ground reaction force system during stance phase on left foot. In main effect of gender difference, men showed increased displacement of center of gravity (COG) compared to women, and it showed more extended joint angle of hip and knee in sagittal plane. In main effect of a load difference, knee joint showed more flexed postuel relative to increase of load carriage. In main effect of load difference on the kinetic variables, medial-lateral force, anterior-posterior force (1st breaking, 2nd propulsive), vertical force, center of pressure (COP) area, leg stiffness, and whole body stiffness showed more increased values relative to increase of load carriage. Also, men showed more increased COP area compared to women. Interaction showed in the 1st anterior-posterior force, and as a result of one-way variance analysis, it was found that a load main effect had a greater influence on the increase in the magnitude of the braking force than the gender. The data in this study explains that women require little kinematic alteration compared to men, while men in more stiff posture accommodate an added load compared to women during gait. Additionally, it suggests that dynamic stability is maintained by adopting different gait strategies relative to gender and load difference.

Comparisons of Kinematic Factors and Stiffnesses of the Lower-limb Joints between Transfemoral Amputees and Normal Adults (대퇴절단자와 정상인 걸음걸이의 운동학적 요인과 발목관절 강성 비교)

  • Yi, Jae-Hoon;Lee, Jung-Ho;Hah, Chong-Ku
    • Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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    • v.23 no.1
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    • pp.77-83
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    • 2013
  • The purpose of this study was to compare kinematic variables and stiffnesses of ankle joints between normal person and transfemoral amputee gait in order to develop or fit prosthetic leg. Twenty subjects (ten normal persons and ten transfemoral amputees) participated in this experiment, and walked three trials at a self-selected pace. The gait motions were captured with Vicon system and variables were calculated with Visual-3D. The velocity, stride length, stride width, cycle time, double limb support time and right swing time of gaits were statistically significant. Because coefficients of variability of normal persons on velocity, double limb support time and swing time were greater than transfemoral amputees, normal persons controlled these gait variables effectively. The stiffnesses of ankle joints were not statistically significant, but patterns of stiffnesses of ankle joints during three rockers were absolutely different. The negative correlations between stiffnesses of ankle joints and cycle time and swing time were presented. These differences suggest that developing and fitting prosthetic leg were demanded. Further studies should develop fitting program and simulator of prosthetic leg.

Tethers tension force effect in the response of a squared tension leg platform subjected to ocean waves

  • El-gamal, Amr R.;Essa, Ashraf;Ismail, Ayman
    • Ocean Systems Engineering
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    • v.4 no.4
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    • pp.327-342
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    • 2014
  • The tension leg platform (TLP) is one of the compliant structures which are generally used for deep water oil exploration. With respect to the horizontal degrees of freedom, it behaves like a floating structure moored by vertical tethers which are pretension due to the excess buoyancy of the platform, whereas with respect to the vertical degrees of freedom, it is stiff and resembles a fixed structure and is not allowed to float freely. In the current study, a numerical study for square TLP using modified Morison equation was carried out in the time domain with water particle kinematics using Airy's linear wave theory to investigate the effect of changing the tether tension force on the stiffness matrix of TLP's, the dynamic behavior of TLP's; and on the fatigue stresses in the cables. The effect was investigated for different parameters of the hydrodynamic forces such as wave periods, and wave heights. The numerical study takes into consideration the effect of coupling between various degrees of freedom. The stiffness of the TLP was derived from a combination of hydrostatic restoring forces and restoring forces due to cables. Nonlinear equation was solved using Newmark's beta integration method. Only uni-directional waves in the surge direction was considered in the analysis. It was found that for short wave periods (i.e., 10 sec.), the surge response consisted of small amplitude oscillations about a displaced position that is significantly dependent on tether tension force, wave height; whereas for longer wave periods, the surge response showed high amplitude oscillations that is significantly dependent on wave height, and that special attention should be given to tethers fatigue because of their high tensile static and dynamic stress.

Effective torsional stiffness of reinforced concrete structural walls

  • Luo, Da;Ning, Chaolie;Li, Bing
    • Earthquakes and Structures
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    • v.16 no.1
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    • pp.119-127
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    • 2019
  • When a structural wall is subjected to multi-directional ground motion, torsion-induced cracks degrade the stiffness of the wall. The effect of torsion should not be neglected. As a main lateral load resisting member, reinforced concrete (RC) structural wall has been widely studied under the combined action of bending and shear. Unfortunately, its seismic behavior under a combined action of torsion, bending and shear is rarely studied. In this study, torsional performances of the RC structural walls under the combined action is assessed from a comprehensive parametrical study. Finite element (FE) models are built and calibrated by comparing with the available experimental data. The study is then carried out to find out the critical design parameter affecting the torsional stiffness of RC structural walls, including the axial load ratio, aspect ratio, leg-thickness ratio, eccentricity of lateral force, longitudinal reinforcement ratio and transverse reinforcement ratio. Besides, to facilitate the application in practice, an empirical equation is developed to estimate the torsional stiffness of RC rectangular structural walls conveniently, which is found to agree well with the numerical results of the developed FE models.

Development of a Pulse Wave Velocity Measurement System and Assessment of the System Reproducibility for the Diagnosis of Arteriosclerosis (동맥경화 진단을 위한 맥파전달속도 측정시스템 개발 및 재현성 평가)

  • Lee, Nak-B.;Im, Jae-J.;Park, Young-B.;Jeon, Young-J.
    • The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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    • v.9 no.1
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    • pp.112-124
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    • 2005
  • Background: PWV is determined by dividing the distance by the time taken for the pulses traveling between two measuring sites, used as a marker of arterial stiffness and an important indicator for cardiovascular disease. Methods: A PWV measurement system, which offers a non-invasive, simple method of measurement, and simultaneous recording of six signlas(ECG, PCG and four pulse waves from carotid, femoral, radial and dorsalis pedis arteries) was developed. Seventeen healthy subjects with a mean age of 33 years(22 to 52) without any cardiovascular disease were participated for the experiment. Two observers(A and B) performed two consecutive measurements from the same subject in a random order. For the evaluation of stability and accuracy of the PWV measurement system, reproducibility of PWV from between-observer were also evaluated. Results: PWV $values(Mean{\pm}SD)$ measured by A were $7.07{\pm}1.48m/s$, $8.43{\pm}1.14m/s$ , $8.09{\pm}0.98m/s$ for aorta, arm, and leg, respectively. The values obtained from B were $6.76{\pm}1.00m/s$, $7.97{\pm}0.80m/s$, and $7.97{\pm}0.72m/s$ for aorta, arm, and leg, respectively. Between-observer $differences(mean{\pm}SEM)$ from the aorta, arm and leg were $0.14{\pm}0.15m/s$, $0.18{\pm}0.10m/s$ and $0.07{\pm}0.10m/s$. Reproducibility coefficients(2SD) from the aorta, arm, and leg were 0.62m/s, 0.84m/s and 0.86m/s. Correlation coefficients were significantly higher in aortic PWV, 0.93, compared to the coefficients for arm and leg. Coefficient of variance which reflects the reproducibility of the system ranged from $4.4{\sim}5.8%$ in all regional PWV. , Conclusion: Reproducibility of PWV in the study shows that the developed system has reliable and reproducible characteristics. The PWV measurement system used for the study offers comfortable and simple operation and provides accurate analysis and results with high reproducibility. Results of the PWV measurement system could contribute to various clinical applications in the future.

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Lower Extremity Reconstruction with Cross-Leg Free Flap Only for Vein Anastomosis (정맥 문합 만을 위한 교차-하지 유리 피판술을 이용한 하지의 재건)

  • Woo, Sang Hyun;Kim, Kyung Chul;Lee, Gi Jun;Kim, Jin Sam;Kim, Joo Sung
    • Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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    • v.13 no.1
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    • pp.74-81
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    • 2004
  • This study was designed to introduce the cross-leg free flap only for vein anastomosis as an alternative salvage method for the reconstruction of severe soft tissue defects in vascular-compromised lower extremities. Four cross-leg free flap reconstructions were performed using the latissimus dorsi muscle to reconstruct soft tissue defects in the lower extremity. The recipient artery was confined to the ipsilateral side and the venous anastomosis was carried out in the contralateral side. Both legs were immobilized together with an external fixator. All patients were males, and had a mean age of 31 years. The mean time of pedicle division was 8.8 days range of 7 to 10 days. The mean size of the flap was 186.5 cm2. All flaps survived after pedicle division without venous congestion. There was no complication in joint stiffness, nor donor site morbidity except for a linear scar. The cross-leg free flap only for vein anastomosis is a refinement of a salvage procedure used for the reconstruction of severe soft tissue defects in vascular-compromised lower extremities.

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Out-of-plane buckling and bracing requirement in double-angle trusses

  • Chen, Shaofan;Su, Mingzhou
    • Steel and Composite Structures
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    • v.3 no.4
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    • pp.261-275
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    • 2003
  • Truss members built-up with double angles back-to-back have monosymmetric cross-section and twisting always accompanies flexion upon the onset of buckling about the axis of symmetry. Approximate formulae for calculating the buckling capacity are presented in this paper for routine design purpose. For a member susceptible only to flexural buckling, its optimal cross-section should consist of slender plate elements so as to get larger radius of gyration. But, occurrence of twisting changes the situation owing to the weakness of thin plates in resisting torsion. Criteria for limiting the leg slenderness are discussed herein. Truss web members in compression are usually considered as hinged at both ends for out-of-plane buckling. In case one (or both) end of member is not supported laterally by bracing member, its adjoining members have to provide an elastic support of adequate stiffness in order not to underdesign the member. The stiffness provided by either compression or tension chords in different cases is analyzed, and the effect of initial crookedness of compression chord is taken into account. Formulae are presented to compute the required stiffness of chord member and to determine the effective length factor for inadequately constrained compressive diagonals.

Vertical Stiffness and Lower Limb Kinematic Characteristics of Children with Down Syndrome during Drop Landing (드롭랜딩 동작 시 다운증후군 아동들의 수직 강성과 하지 운동학적 특성)

  • Koo, Dohoon;Maeng, Hyokju;Yang, Jonghyun
    • Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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    • v.29 no.3
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    • pp.137-143
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    • 2019
  • Objective: Ligament laxity and hypotonia are characteristics of Down syndrome patients. The aim of this study was to compare the landing pattern between Down syndrome patients and typically developing subjects. To compare the landing pattern, variables related to ligament laxity and hypotonia i.e. vertical stiffness and lower extremities kinematics were investigated. Method: Five subjects with Down syndrome (age: $14.6{\pm}1.8years$, mass: $47.6{\pm}6.94kg$, height: $147.9{\pm}6.0cm$) and six able-bodied subjects (age: $13.2{\pm}0.4years$, mass: $54.7{\pm}6.7kg$, height: $160.1{\pm}9.8cm$) participated in this study. Results: The vertical displacement of the center of mass, vertical reaction force, leg stiffness and range of ankle angle range among Down syndrome patients were significantly different than typically developing group. The youth with Down's syndrome appeared to receive greater vertical impact force at landing than normal youth. Conclusion: The differences in the biomechanical characteristics suggest the delay in motor development among Down syndrome patients and an increased risk of injury to the lower extremity during movement execution such as drop landing.

Effects of the Flexibility on the Structural Responses of a Tension Leg Platform (인장계류식 해양구조물의 구조응답에 미치는 굽힘강성의 영향)

  • Lee, Chang-Ho;Lee, Soo-Lyong
    • Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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    • v.21 no.4
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    • pp.38-44
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    • 2007
  • The structural response characteristics of Tension leg platforms(TLPs) in waves are examined for presenting the basic data for structural design of TLPs. The numerical approach is based on a combination of the three dimensional source distribution method and the structural response analysis method, in which the superstructure of TLP is assumed to be flexible instead of rigid. Hydrodynamic and hydrostatic forces on the submerged surface of a TLP have been accurately calculated by excluding the assumption of the slender body theory. The hydrodynamic interactions among TLP members, such as columns and pontoons, and the structural damping are included in structural analysis. The mooring forces are estimated as the sum of pretension of tendons and variational tension due to longitudinal displacements. Stiffness matrices of elastic beam elements connecting nodes are formulated by ordinary method of three dimensional frame analysis. The equation of motion about the whole structure is obtained by the sum of forces and moments acting on each nodes.

Extraction of Wave Energy Using the Coupled Heaving Motion of a Circular Cylinder and Linear Electric Generator (원기둥과 선형발전기의 연성 수직운동을 이용한 파 에너지 추출)

  • Cho, Il-Hyoung;Kweon, Hyuck-Min
    • Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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    • v.25 no.6
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    • pp.9-16
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    • 2011
  • The feasibility of wave energy extraction from a heaving truncated cylinder and the corresponding response of the linear electric generator (LEG) composed of spring, magnet, and coil has been investigated in the frame of three-dimensional linear potential theory. The heaving motion of a circular cylinder is calculated by means of the matched eigenfunction expansion method. Further, the analytical results are validated by numerical results using the ANSYS AQWA commercial code. By the action of a heaving circular cylinder, the magnet suspended by a spring can slide vertically inside the heaving cylinder. The mechanical power is extracted from the magnet motion relative to the coil/stator which is attached to the cylinder. The coupled ODE of a heaving cylinder and LEG system in waves is derived to obtain the magnet motion relative to a cylinder. To maximize the relative motion of the magnet, both the buoy draft and the LEG system parameters (spring stiffness, damping) should be selected properly for generating the double resonance considering the peak frequency of the target spectrum.