Analysis of transient response of the human foot based on the finite element method

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The foot is an important part of the human body. Its functions are mainly walking and load-bearing. It also keeps the human body stable and absorbs ground vibrations to protect important human organs.

OBJECTIVE:

Many researchers use finite element methods to study the biomechanics of the foot. However, current studies on the finite element of the foot are based on the stress and displacement response analysis of the foot under static or quasi-static conditions, ignoring the movement process of the foot and the impact of vibration. Moreover, the joint application of energy method and finite element analysis in foot biomechanics is rarely reported.

METHODS:

In this paper, to obtain the foot energy transfer process, the transient response of the foot under neutral position is analyzed based on the energy method.

RESULTS:

The results show that: (1) In this model, the energy analysis follows the conservation of energy, which indicates that the transient response analysis has obtained a reasonable response. (2) When the foot touches the ground, the strain energy of the calcaneus, second metatarsal and third metatarsal is relatively large, which is consistent with the main stress concentration area of the plantar. (3) The gravity of the human body is mainly transmitted through the talus to the calcaneus, while the effect of transmittal through the scaphoid to the cuneiform bone and metatarsal is weak.

CONCLUSION:

This study can not only more clearly and intuitively reflect the energy transfer and source of various skeletal foreheads in the foot, but also provide a new research idea for the study of foot biomechanics.