Abstract

In this thesis, the use of multidisciplinary techniques
is proposed as a viable alternative to the current
procedures for assessment of footwear, which are costly and
time consuming. These techniques are Virtual Reality, Computational Biomechanics,
and Artificial Neural Networks. The framework of this research is the virtual
assessment of the mechanical comfort in footwear, i.e., comfort
pressures in footwear. The main goal of this thesis is to predict
the pressures exerted by the shoe over the foot dorsum while
walking simulating the contact at this interface.

In particular, the Finite Element Method is used to develop a software
application for the simulation of the footwear deformation in gait. A
first model for the behavior of the shoe upper material is developed. An automatic
procedure for the foot-shoe initial alignment is implemented into the application. A
methodology to obtain a generic animation of the step for each individual
is presented as well as new models for the shoe upper material behavior aimed to
improve the developed application. On the other hand, Artificial Neural Networks are
successfully applied to predict the force exerted by a sphere that,
simulating a bone, pushes a shoe upper material sample. They are also used to
predict the pressures exerted by a shoe on the foot dorsum (dorsal pressures)
during a complete step.

The main contributions of this thesis are: The development of an
innovative simulator that will allow footwear manufacturers to
perform virtual evaluations of the functional and esthetic
features of their designs without having to construct the real prototype,
and the development of another innovative tool for the prediction
of the dorsal pressures exerted by the footwear while walking.