NUMERICAL PREDICTION OF SLAMMING LOADS DURING WATER ENTRY OF BOW-FLARED SECTIONS

The two-dimensional water entry of bow-flared sections is studied by using a Multi-Material Arbitrary Lagrangian- Eulerian (MMALE) formulation and a penalty-coupling algorithm. A convergence study is carried out, considering the effects of mesh size, the dimension of fluids domain, and fluid leakage phenomenon through the structure. The predicted results on the wetted surface of a bow-flared section are compared with published experimental values in terms of vertical slamming force, pressure distributions at different time instances and the pressure histories at different points. Comparisons between the numerical results and measured values show satisfactory correlation. An approximation method is adopted to estimate the sectional slamming force showing good consistency for the peak forces.

Primary calibration of mechanical sensors with digital output for dynamic applications

This article tackles the challenge of the dynamic calibration of modern sensors with integrated data sampling and purely digital output for the measurement of mechanical quantities like acceleration, angular velocity, force, pressure, or torque. Based on the established calibration methods using sine excitation, it describes an extension of the established methods and devices that yields primary calibration results for the magnitude and phase of the complex transfer function. The system is demonstrated with a focus on primary accelerometer calibrations but can easily be transferred to the other mechanical quantities. Furthermore, it is shown that the method can be used to investigate the quality and characteristics of the timing for the internal sampling of such digital output sensors. Thus, it is able to gain crucial information for any subsequent phase-related measurements with such sensors.

Comparison of Plantar Force, Pressure and Impulse During Walking in Men and Women With Flat Feet

Objective: This study aims to compare the variables of plantar force, pressure and impulse during walking in men and women with flat feet. Methods: The study population consists of non-athlete students with and without flat feet. Of these, 48 (male and female) were selected as study samples. The peak pressure, force and impulse on the foot were measured during walking by a foot scanner at a sampling frequency of 253 Hz. Shapiro-Wilks test was used to examine the normality of data distribution, and data analysis was performed using MANOVA in SPSS software, considering the significance level at P<0.05. Results: Men with flat feet had more peak plantar pressure and force in the midfoot than healthy men, and more peak plantar pressure on the hallux. Women with flat feet had more peak plantar pressure and force on the hallux, toes T2-T3-T4-T5, M2 metatarsal head, and midfoot than healthy women. Men with flat feet had peak plantar pressure on the M4 metatarsal head than women with flat feet. Men with flat feet had different plantar impulses in the hallux, M2 metatarsal head, and lateral heal. Women with flat feet had more plantar impulses in the hallux, toes T2-T3-T4-T5, and midfoot than healthy women. There was a significant difference between men and women with flat feet in plantar impulses in metatarsal heads M3 and M4, midfoot, and lateral and medial heels Conclusion: Different effects of gender and sole structure on the distribution of plantar pressure should be considered in the production and design of shoes, medical insoles and special sports footwear.

Solving Decommissioning and Abandonment Problems When Planning to Shear 9 5/8-inch Casing in a 13 5/8-inch × 10k RAM BOP

A decommissioning and abandonment requirement to shear 9 5/8-inch casing in certain circumstances with a 13 5/8-inch × 10,000 psi rated working pressure, RWP, Shear RAM type blowout preventer, BOP, resulted in a need to develop a novel casing shear device and shear calculation method. Results of shear testing, future engineering planning guidance, the new shear calculation method, and comparison to legacy technology are included in this paper. Interaction with the end user to understand requirements, a five-step problem solving procedure, a basis of design process, materials justification, verification analysis, validation testing, and describing an improved shear operator force/pressure calculation are all described. Shear larger casing in the required and restrictive RAM BOP and well bore presented a problematic challenge. Equally, tubular fish size was required to support fishing extraction operations following shear. Validation test results exceeded requirements and resulted in the need for a new approach to the shear calculation method. The novel shear RAM geometry was developed utilizing shear calculation methods which were based on legacy considerations. API 16A shear validation procedures and two legacy shear calculation methods where employed. Shear calculations are used to anticipate the RAM BOP operator pressures required to shear a specific tubular. The larger than historically allowed casing size to be sheared in a 13 5/8-inch × 10,000 psi RAM BOP meant higher operator pressures were anticipated for each operator option. A Novel shear RAM geometry was developed as a design intent to lower shear force/pressure. There was an observation during validation testing that the geometry exceeded expectations to lower shear pressure significantly. This observation led to a conclusion that an improved shear calculation method was required for this application. This novel calculation method description / statistical treatment, test results, RAM design methods, and tabular shear engineering planning information are included in this paper. One additional requirement of the shear RAM geometry was to provide an upper and lower fish deformed surface which could be easily retrieved thru the 13 5/8-inch BOP bore. An additional observation was that the fish width requirement was achieved. The novel shear calculation method allows an engineer to precisely plan for bonnet actuation pressures when larger casing is sheared. The precise calculation of shear force/pressure also assists with BOP operator size and type selection. The engineer will gain casing size versus shear pressure for specific operator options in tabular format. Planners will gain insight into tubular fish deformation estimation allowing mitigation of tubular extraction risk during operations planning.

The Influence of External Additional Loading on the Muscle Activity and Ground Reaction Forces during Gait

Asymmetrical external loading acting on the musculoskeletal system is generally considered unhealthy. Despite this knowledge, carrying loads in an asymmetrical manner like carrying on one shoulder, with one hand, or on the strap across the torso is a common practice. This study is aimed at presenting the effects of the mentioned load carrying methods on muscle activity assessed by using thermal field and ground reaction forces. Infrared thermography and pedobarographic force platform (ground reaction force/pressure measurement) were used in this study. Experimental results point out an increased load-dependent asymmetry of temperature distribution on the chosen areas of torso and the influence of external loading on ground reaction forces. Results point out that wearing an asymmetrical load should be avoided and are showing which type of carrying the external load is potentially less and the most harmful.

Why are tapes better than wires in knotless rotator cuff repairs? An evaluation of force, pressure and contact area in a tendon bone unit mechanical model

Purpose Knotless repairs have demonstrated encouraging performance regarding retear rate reduction, but literature aiming at identifying the specific variables responsible for these results is scarce and conflictive. The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the effect of the material (tape or wire suture) and medial tendon passage (single or double passage) on the contact force, pressure and area at the tendon bone interface in order to identify the key factors responsible for this repairs´ success. Methods A specific knotless transosseous equivalent cuff repair was simulated using 2 tape or suture wire loaded medial anchors and 2 lateral anchors, with controlled lateral suture limb tension. The repair was performed in a previously validated sawbones® mechanical model. Testing analyzed force, pressure and area in a predetermined and constant size “repair box” using a Tekscan® sensor, as well as peak force and pressure, force applied by specific sutures and force variation along the repair box. Results Tapes generate lower contact force and pressure and double medial passage at the medial tendon is associated with higher contact area. Suture wires generate higher peak force and pressure on the repair and higher mean force in their tendon path and at the medial bearing row. Force values decrease from medial to lateral and from posterior to anterior independently of the material or medial passage. Conclusion Contrary to most biomechanical literature, suture tape use lowers the pressure and force applied at the tendon bone junction, while higher number of suture passage points medially increases the area of contact. These findings may explain the superior clinical results obtained with the use uf suture tapes because its smaller compressive effect over the tendon may create a better perfusion environment healing while maintaining adequate biomechanical stability.

Design Criteria of Soft Exogloves for Hand Rehabilitation-Assistance Tasks

This paper establishes design criteria for soft exogloves (SEG) to be used as rehabilitation or assistance devices. This research consists in identifying, selecting, and grouping SEG features based on the analysis of 91 systems that have been proposed during the last decade. Thus, function, mobility, and usability criteria are defined and explicitly discussed to highlight SEG design guidelines. Additionally, this study provides a detailed description of each system that was analysed including application, functional task, palm design, actuation type, assistance mode, degrees of freedom (DOF), target fingers, motions, material, weight, force, pressure (only for fluids), control strategy, and assessment. Such characteristics have been reported according to specific design methodologies and operating principles. Technological trends are contemplated in this contribution with emphasis on SEG design opportunity areas. In this review, suggestions, limitations, and implications are also discussed in order to enhance future SEG developments aimed at stroke survivors or people with hand disabilities.