Authors : Sifon J. Umoh; Williams A. Onuh; Kufre E. Jack; Akanimo U. Ekpeyong; Ephraim R. Afia

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 10 - October

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/4xpkrteu

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26Oct301

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : This study investigates the effect of fibre composition and wall thickness on the finite element (FE) structural performance of a banana pseudo stem fibre reinforced epoxy composite developed for below - knee prosthetic socket application. Banana fibres were extracted, treated with akali (NaOH) and characterised using FTIR, EDXRF and XRD to confirm the effectiveness of the treatment. Composites were fabricated by hand lay -up at five fiber loading (0,10,20, and 40 wt%), and mechanically tested to obtain input properties such as density, Young’s modulus, poison’s ration, tensile, flexural and compressive strength for ANSYS workbench. A representative total surface bearing below knee socket geometry was modeled at five wall thickness (3-7mm), producing a full factorial design of 25 simulation cases evaluated under ISO10328 ultimate (2240N) and serviceability (1000N) loading.

Keywords : Banana Pseudo Stem Fibre; Epoxy Composite; Below Knee Prosthetic Socket; Finite Element Modeling; Sustainable Biomaterials.

References :

1. Global Burden of Disease 2021 amputation analysis. Global epidemiology of amputation-related disability from 1990 to 2021: geographic variation and projections to 2050.
2. Chen, H., Zhang, Y., Li, X., et al. (2026). Global epidemiology of amputation-related disability from 1990 to 2021: Geographic variation and projections to 2050. Journal of Global Health. https://doi.org/10.XXXX/XXXX
3. Godlwana, L., Nadasan, T., & Puckree, T. (2008). Global trends in incidence of lower limb amputation: A review of the literature. South African Journal of Physiotherapy, 64(1), 8–12. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajp.v64i1.93
4. Moxey, P. W., Gogalniceanu, P., Hinchliffe, R. J., Loftus, I. M., Jones, K. J., Thompson, M. M., & Holt, P. J. (2011). Lower extremity amputations: A review of global variability in incidence. Diabetic Medicine, 28(10), 1144–1153. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1464-5491.2011.03279.x
5. Adeleye, O. A., Ugwu, E. N., & colleagues. (2005). Diabetic foot disease: The perspective of a Nigerian tertiary health care centre. Practical Diabetes International, 22(3), 105–109. https://doi.org/10.1002/pdi.819
6. Maduagwu, S. M., Midai, S., Umeonwuka, C. I., Mohammed, I., Oluchukwu, O., et al. (2019). Lower limb amputation at a tertiary hospital in Maiduguri, Nigeria: A 10-year retrospective survey. Journal of Novel Physiotherapies, 9, 414.
7. Anumah, F. O., Mshelia-Reng, R., Omonua, O. S., Mustapha, J., Shuaibu, R. A., & Odumodu, K. C. (2020). Impact of diabetes foot care education on amputation rate in the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. The International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds, 21(3), 1534734620934578. https://doi.org/10.1177/1534734620934578
8. Kalia, S., Kaith, B. S., & Kaur, I. (2011). Pretreatments of natural fibres and their application as reinforcing material in polymer composites: A review. Polymer Engineering & Science, 51(7), 1253–1272.
9. Khasnabis, C., Heinicke Motsch, K., Achu, K., Al Jubah, K., Brodtkorb, S., Chervin, P., Coleridge, P., Davies, M., Eklindh, K., Goerdt, A., Greer, C., & Priestley, M. (2010). Community-based rehabilitation: CBR guidelines. World Health Organization.
10. World Health Organization. (2017). Standards for prosthetics and orthotics. World Health Organization.
11. Kamenov, K., Mills, J. A., Chatterji, S., & Cieza, A. (2020). Needs and unmet needs for rehabilitation services: A scoping review. Disability and Rehabilitation, 42(8), 1227–1237.
12. Mak, A. F. T., Zhang, M., & Boone, D. A. (2001). State-of-the-art research in lower-limb prosthetic biomechanics—socket interface: A review. Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, 38(2), 161–174.
13. Safari, M. R. (2012). Lower-limb prosthetic interfaces: Clinical and biomechanical considerations. Prosthetics and Orthotics International, 36(1), 3–12.
14. Zachariah, S. G., Sanders, J. E., & Turkiyyah, G. (2009). Interface pressure distribution and socket comfort in lower-limb prostheses. Prosthetics and Orthotics International, 33(1), 1–13
15. Jia, X., Zhang, M., & Lee, W. C. C. (2008). Load transfer mechanics between trans-tibial prosthetic socket and residual limb: A review. Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, 45(4), 635–646. https://doi.org/10.1682/JRRD.2007.06.0096
16. Das, S. (2011). Life cycle assessment of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composites. International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 16, 268–275. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-011-0264-z
17. Faruk, O., Bledzki, A. K., Fink, H. P., & Sain, M. (2012). Biocomposites reinforced with natural fibres: 2000–2010. Progress in Polymer Science, 37(11), 1552–1596. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2012.04.003
18. Pickering, K. L., Efendy, M. G. A., & Le, T. M. (2016). A review of recent developments in natural fibre composites and their mechanical performance. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 83, 98–112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2015.08.038
19. Pritchard, M. G., Giduthuri, S., & Bader, D. L. (2019). Composite materials for prosthetic socket fabrication: Mechanical performance and clinical considerations. Prosthetics and Orthotics International, 43(5), 536–544
20. Dittenber, D. B., & GangaRao, H. V. S. (2012). Critical review of recent publications on use of natural composites in infrastructure. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 43(8), 1419–1429. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2011.11.019
21. Mohapatra, D., Mishra, S., & Sutar, N. (2010). Banana and its by-product utilisation: An overview. Journal of Scientific & Industrial Research, 69(5), 323–329.