Effectiveness of Different Insoles on Plantar Pressure Distribution using Finite Element Simulation

Abstract

Finite Element to investigate different insole was developed to predict insole behavioral when pressure is applied onto the insole surface. Insole is a shoe insert that provides a cushion and support to human body so that it relieves foot pain and readjust human bone structure into correct posture. People who are suffering foot pain such as foot ulcer and foot deformities were caused by physical activity like walking and running. FE simulation are the best clinical tools used to investigate the effectiveness of the insole before fabricate. The major factors that affect the effectiveness of insoles are the type of material and the thickness based on the shape of insole. Only few of researchers had studied material and the thickness but none of them were studied the basic insole which is flat insole that almost commonly use in our daily life. Thus, this research is to investigate which is the best effective flat insole with different material and thickness by using Finite Element (FE), which using ANSYS Workbench V19.2 for analysis purpose. This research focused on post processing result which are Equivalent (von Mises) Stress, Shear Stress and Deformation. This research requires one male person weighs 64 kg to investigate the maximum pressure contact between foot and Plantar-Pressure Distribution (F-Scan) which is TekscanTM. Based from F-scan data, it has been found that the highest pressure occurs at calcaneus (heel part) which recorded 192KPa. The F-Scan result data has transferred into ANSYS Workbench V19.2 simulation Analysis for investigation. Based on the FE Analysis, it can be concluded that Polyurethane with 5mm thick flat insole is the most effective insole among all types of insoles.