Modelling and Analysis of Alternative “Tile to Tile” Attachment Mechanism Designs, for a Modular Plastic Tile Sports Surface Using FEA

Abstract

A sports surface that encourages elastic deformation during contact in combined anterior-posterior and medial-lateral directions through a process of horizontal deformation and displacement, may result in reduced foot and lower limb loading. Research concluded that a modular plastic tile surface which permits a limited amount of horizontal displacement via the tile connections has the potential to attenuate more braking force in comparison to a typical homogenous sports surface and therefore reduce the risk of tissue overloading and potential injury. A system whereby a modular plastic tile surface could encourage a limited amount of multi-lateral horizontal displacement via the tile attachment mechanisms was therefore developed.During rapid changes in direction or while landing on a sports surface, forces are transmitted from the athlete into the sports floor. Energy is preserved in the surface as the floor deforms, with a component of this energy being dissipated as a result of the dampening characteristics of the materials used to construct the sports surface. The sports tile development process therefore required the realisation of a retaining clip system to hold the tiles in firm engagement. Each tile also had to be able to be easily pulled apart for disassembly purposes. The tiles used in the surface had to be able to move independently from each other, in order for the surface to be able to dissipate energy. A design method was therefore adopted which saw the development of a number of alternative attachment approaches which were analysed via the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) method.A design solution was developed through a combination of iterative design and finite element simulation, with the final solution encouraging horizontal elastic deformation during athlete to surface contact, as a result of horizontal displacement. The “tile to tile” interface is the most critical aspect of the new modular tile surface that has been developed, as this feature in addition to its unique octagonal and square tessellated tile configuration, combine to allow multi-lateral horizontal displacement in the surface, and therefore the potential to reduce horizontal braking forces.