Study on the mechanical properties of various material handrail components for elderly care

With the deepening aging population in China, the community-based elderly care model has been continuously developing. Handrails, as essential load-bearing components, are widely used in building structures. Currently, there is a variety of handrail materials available, but there is a lack of comparative analysis on the mechanical properties of these materials. Consequently, material selection in practical applications often lacks a reliable theoretical basis. In this study, we selected four typical handrail materials: stainless steel, PVC, laminated wood, and Pinus sylvestris. Finite element models of the handrail components were established to analyze the stress conditions of handrails made from different materials under daily use scenarios by the elderly. The results indicate that under both compressive and tensile forces, the elastic limit load-bearing capacity of stainless steel at the mid-span loading condition is approximately 14 and 21 times that of PVC, respectively, and at the end-span loading condition, it is about 12 and 14 times that of Pinus sylvestris. Under tensile forces at mid-span loading, the elastic limit load-bearing capacity of stainless steel is about 8 times that of laminated wood and Pinus sylvestris. The ultimate grip strength of stainless steels handrails is 33.34 kN, significantly higher than the other three materials. For 1 mm deformation of the handrails, the grip strength value for PVC is about 9 times that of laminated wood and 6 times that of Pinus sylvestris. Under a normal grip force of 0.5 kN, the deformation of handrails made from all three materials is minimal, with the maximum deformation being 6.13×10⁻⁴ mm, meeting the safety requirements for daily use by the elderly. Due to the unsupported cantilever segment of the main rod, the deformation of end-loaded is greater than that of mid-span loaded. Therefore, to ensure the reliability of handrails in daily use, it is recommended to prioritize stainless steel material and design the handrails in a closed-loop configuration by connecting the end of the main rod to the wall or increasing the number of auxiliary rods.