Feasibility of the Flexibility of Women's Shoe Bottom Predicting by Finite Element Method

Flexibility of sole (FS) is one of the key parameter of comfortability and it is commonly required specific testing and certified operators. These processes increases the consumption of production capacity and human resources. Finite element method (FEM) is a low cost method which is able to predict the stress procedure. So, the aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of FEM on the FS test. The FS of a lady sandal shoe in real machine and simulated its FS ability in FEM have been tested. Final outcome showed that physical result was 7.8°, while that of FEM was 3.9°. Moreover, the force from every direction of inner parts of soles can be founded. In conclusion, FEM was feasible to simulate the flexure testing process to predict flexure angle and this method showed a great potential in shoe manufacture.