Analysis of the Impact Resistance of Toecaps by the Finite Element Method: Preliminary Studies

A key property in the manufacture of toecaps for protective footwear is resistance to impacts, deformations, and cracking, as the resulting defects may lead to serious workplace accidents involving the lower extremities. The present paper proposes a new approach to qualitative verification of toecap...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of environmental research and public health 2022-12, Vol.20 (1), p.152
Main Authors: Kropidłowska, Paulina, Irzmańska, Emilia, Gołębiowski, Łukasz, Jurczyk-Kowalska, Magdalena, Boczkowska, Anna
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alloys
Computer applications
Computer Simulation
Design
Elastoplasticity
Energy
Extremities
Finite Element Analysis
Footwear
Geometry
High strength steel
Impact analysis
Impact resistance
Impact tests
Insulation
Laboratories
Lexan (trademark)
Lower Extremity
Manufacturers
Mathematical models
Mechanical properties
Numerical models
Occupational safety
Product development
Steel
Working conditions
Workplace accidents
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Summary:A key property in the manufacture of toecaps for protective footwear is resistance to impacts, deformations, and cracking, as the resulting defects may lead to serious workplace accidents involving the lower extremities. The present paper proposes a new approach to qualitative verification of toecap design based on numerical simulations of impact tests. Computational experiments were conducted for toecaps made from different materials (AISI 10450, S235, S355 and A36 steels, as well as Lexan polycarbonate) and characterized by different geometries, which were recreated by 3D scanning. The impact resistance of the toecaps was analyzed using a numerical model simulating an experimental impact test. The results were used to determine the location of critical stresses and to plot equivalent stress maps for the studied toecaps. The finite element analysis of the impact tests was carried out with an explicit elastoplastic finite element code: ANSYS (Ansys, Inc., Canonsburg, PA, USA) with the Explicit Dynamics module of the Workbench solver. The presented analysis of the impact resistance of toecaps by the finite element method for impact simulation may be used to optimize the spatial geometry of toecaps and to verify the construction of toecaps and the material deformations that may occur. In addition, it could eliminate unsuitable materials that are likely to undergo dangerous deformations, and draw attention to the deformation caused by the impact of the toecaps used in footwear in the working environment.
ISSN:1660-4601
1661-7827
1660-4601
DOI:10.3390/ijerph20010152