Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2021, Vol. 25 ›› Issue (30): 4799-4804.doi: 10.12307/2021.264

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Three-dimensional finite element modeling of the foot and its multi-posture biomechanical analysis

Zhang Leilei1, 2, Wang Mengsheng1, Xu Dawei1, Huang Hong1, Yang Yongtai1    

  1. 1Quanzhou Institute of Equipment Manufacturing, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Quanzhou 362200, Fujian Province, China; 2School of Electrical and Control Engineering, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, Shanxi Province, China
  • Received:2020-12-01 Revised:2020-12-05 Accepted:2021-01-23 Online:2021-10-28 Published:2021-07-29
  • Contact: Yang Yongtai, MD, Senior engineer, Quanzhou Institute of Equipment Manufacturing, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Quanzhou 362200, Fujian Province, China
  • About author:Zhang Leilei, Master candidate, Quanzhou Institute of Equipment Manufacturing, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Quanzhou 362200, Fujian Province, China; School of Electrical and Control Engineering, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, Shanxi Province, China
  • Supported by:
    Quanzhou High-level Talents Innovation and Entrepreneurship Project, No. 2020C022R (to WMS); the Science and Technology Plan Project of Quanzhou, No. 2019STS01 (to WMS, HH)

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Abstract: BACKGROUND: The biomechanical properties and injury mechanisms of the foot have always been a major concern for doctors and sports science researchers. Three-dimensional finite element analysis has become an effective technique for numerical simulation of biomechanical behavior.  
OBJECTIVE: To establish an effective finite element analysis model of the foot to analyze the biomechanical properties of the foot in different landing postures.
METHODS:  CT images of one foot of a healthy adult male were acquired. The images were segmented using Mimics to obtain the point cloud. To obtain a smooth 3D geometric model of the foot, Geomagic was used for the processing and optimization of the point cloud. After that, the geometric model was imported into Hypermesh to complete the finite element pre-processing. Finally, Abaqus was used to solving and calculating. The effectiveness of the finite element model was verified through the contrast of the simulation result and the measured plantar pressure. According to the internal stress distribution obtained from the simulation, the biomechanical characteristics of the foot in multiple landing postures were analyzed.  
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The proposed mesh quality control method improved the quality of the mesh divided by the pre-processing of finite element analysis; it solved the problem of non-convergence of the finite element analysis model without significantly increasing the computational cost. (2) Simulation analysis of different postures of the foot found that: when the landing mode was forefoot strike, the foot load was concentrated on the forehand, leading to increased stress on the metatarsal bone and plantar fascia, which was easy to cause damage to the metatarsal bone and plantar fascia; when the landing mode was heel strike, the foot load was concentrated on the heel, and the stress on the heel bone was increased, which increased the risk of heel pain and knee injury. (3) Therefore, prolonged and repetitive stimulation with high loads should be avoided during exercise, especially for those who already have related diseases and should avoid exercise that aggravates their condition.

Key words: foot model, finite element analysis, landing mode, biomechanics, damage mechanism

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