Gait-Specific Optimization of Composite Footwear Midsole Systems, Facilitated through Dynamic Finite Element Modelling
Objective. During the last century, running shoes have been subject to drastic changes with incremental however improvements as to injury prevention. This may be, among others, due to the limited insight that experimental methodologies can provide on their 3D in situ response. The objective of this...
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| Format: | Article |
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Wiley
2018-01-01
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| Series: | Applied Bionics and Biomechanics |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/6520314 |
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| author | Dimitris Drougkas Evagelos Karatsis Maria Papagiannaki Serafeim Chatzimoisiadis Fotini Arabatzi Stergios Maropoulos Alexander Tsouknidas |
| author_facet | Dimitris Drougkas Evagelos Karatsis Maria Papagiannaki Serafeim Chatzimoisiadis Fotini Arabatzi Stergios Maropoulos Alexander Tsouknidas |
| author_sort | Dimitris Drougkas |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objective. During the last century, running shoes have been subject to drastic changes with incremental however improvements as to injury prevention. This may be, among others, due to the limited insight that experimental methodologies can provide on their 3D in situ response. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the effectiveness of finite element (FE) modelling techniques, in optimizing a midsole system as to the provided cushioning capacity. Methods. A commercial running shoe was scanned by means of micro computed tomography and its gel-based midsole, reverse-engineered to a 200 μm accuracy. The resulting 3D model was subjected to biorealistic loading and boundary conditions, in terms of time-varying plantar pressure distribution and shoe-ground contact constraints. The mesh grid of the FE model was verified as to its conceptual soundness and validated against velocity-driven impact tests. Nonlinear material properties were assigned to all entities and the model subjected to a dynamic FE analysis. An optimization function (based on energy absorption criteria) was employed to determine the optimum gel volume and position, as to accommodate sequential cushioning in the rear-, mid-, and forefoot, of runner during stance phase. Results. The in situ developing stress fields suggest that the shock dissipating properties of the midsole could be significantly improved. Altering the position of the gel pads and varying their volume led to different midsole responses that could be tuned more efficiently to the specific strike and pronation pattern. Conclusions. The results suggest that midsole design can be significantly improved through biorealistic FE modelling, thus providing a new platform for the conceptual redesign and/or optimization of modern footwear. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-43e7a8e3365a40ac9e0838b3b1439bea |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1176-2322 1754-2103 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2018-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Bionics and Biomechanics |
| spelling | doaj-art-43e7a8e3365a40ac9e0838b3b1439bea2025-02-03T05:52:50ZengWileyApplied Bionics and Biomechanics1176-23221754-21032018-01-01201810.1155/2018/65203146520314Gait-Specific Optimization of Composite Footwear Midsole Systems, Facilitated through Dynamic Finite Element ModellingDimitris Drougkas0Evagelos Karatsis1Maria Papagiannaki2Serafeim Chatzimoisiadis3Fotini Arabatzi4Stergios Maropoulos5Alexander Tsouknidas6BETA CAE Systems S.A., 54005 Thessaloniki, GreeceBETA CAE Systems S.A., 54005 Thessaloniki, GreeceDepartment of Physical Education and Sport Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Ag. Ioannis, 62122 Serres, GreeceBETA CAE Systems S.A., 54005 Thessaloniki, GreeceDepartment of Physical Education and Sport Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Ag. Ioannis, 62122 Serres, GreeceDepartment of Mechanical Engineering & Industrial Design, Technical University of Western Macedonia, Koila, 50100 Kozani, GreeceDepartment of Mechanical Engineering & Industrial Design, Technical University of Western Macedonia, Koila, 50100 Kozani, GreeceObjective. During the last century, running shoes have been subject to drastic changes with incremental however improvements as to injury prevention. This may be, among others, due to the limited insight that experimental methodologies can provide on their 3D in situ response. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the effectiveness of finite element (FE) modelling techniques, in optimizing a midsole system as to the provided cushioning capacity. Methods. A commercial running shoe was scanned by means of micro computed tomography and its gel-based midsole, reverse-engineered to a 200 μm accuracy. The resulting 3D model was subjected to biorealistic loading and boundary conditions, in terms of time-varying plantar pressure distribution and shoe-ground contact constraints. The mesh grid of the FE model was verified as to its conceptual soundness and validated against velocity-driven impact tests. Nonlinear material properties were assigned to all entities and the model subjected to a dynamic FE analysis. An optimization function (based on energy absorption criteria) was employed to determine the optimum gel volume and position, as to accommodate sequential cushioning in the rear-, mid-, and forefoot, of runner during stance phase. Results. The in situ developing stress fields suggest that the shock dissipating properties of the midsole could be significantly improved. Altering the position of the gel pads and varying their volume led to different midsole responses that could be tuned more efficiently to the specific strike and pronation pattern. Conclusions. The results suggest that midsole design can be significantly improved through biorealistic FE modelling, thus providing a new platform for the conceptual redesign and/or optimization of modern footwear.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/6520314 |
| spellingShingle | Dimitris Drougkas Evagelos Karatsis Maria Papagiannaki Serafeim Chatzimoisiadis Fotini Arabatzi Stergios Maropoulos Alexander Tsouknidas Gait-Specific Optimization of Composite Footwear Midsole Systems, Facilitated through Dynamic Finite Element Modelling Applied Bionics and Biomechanics |
| title | Gait-Specific Optimization of Composite Footwear Midsole Systems, Facilitated through Dynamic Finite Element Modelling |
| title_full | Gait-Specific Optimization of Composite Footwear Midsole Systems, Facilitated through Dynamic Finite Element Modelling |
| title_fullStr | Gait-Specific Optimization of Composite Footwear Midsole Systems, Facilitated through Dynamic Finite Element Modelling |
| title_full_unstemmed | Gait-Specific Optimization of Composite Footwear Midsole Systems, Facilitated through Dynamic Finite Element Modelling |
| title_short | Gait-Specific Optimization of Composite Footwear Midsole Systems, Facilitated through Dynamic Finite Element Modelling |
| title_sort | gait specific optimization of composite footwear midsole systems facilitated through dynamic finite element modelling |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/6520314 |
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