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Computationally efficient model to predict the deformations of a cellular foot orthotic
Mohammadreza Moeini1, Anne-Laure Ménard2, Lingyu Yue1
1Laboratory for Multiscale Mechanics, Polytechnique de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, H3C3A7, Canada.
Computers in Biology and Medicine
|June 25, 2022
Summary
A new finite element (FE) model significantly speeds up the analysis of 3D printed foot orthotics (FOs). This computationally efficient model reduces simulation time by 46 times, enabling faster customization of FOs for patient comfort.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Materials Science
- Computational Engineering
Background:
- Foot orthotics (FOs) are crucial for comfortable walking.
- 3D printing and finite element (FE) analysis allow for customized, functionally graded lattice FOs.
- Explicit FE modeling of lattice FOs is computationally intensive.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a computationally efficient FE model for cellular foot orthotics.
- To enable faster analysis and optimization of custom FOs.
Main Methods:
- A novel FE model using shell elements with properties derived from numerical homogenization.
- Verification against explicit FE models under static foot pressure.
- Validation against experimental measurements under vertical arch displacement.
Main Results:
- The homogenized model was 46 times faster than the explicit model (22 hours reduced to 22 minutes).
- Prediction of out-of-plane displacement showed less than 8% difference.
- Contact force predictions had less than 1% difference, and force-displacement curves were within 10% of experimental data.
Conclusions:
- The homogenized FE model significantly accelerates simulations of cellular FOs.
- This model facilitates quicker prediction of FO deformations.
- Enables more efficient design and fabrication of patient-specific FOs.
