How Is Finite Element Analysis Software Like Ansys Applied To Simulate Shoe Sole Slip Resistance? Optimize Grip Safely

Ansys finite element analysis (FEA) simulates shoe sole slip resistance by creating a virtual environment where the mechanical interaction between a shoe's tread and a floor surface is mathematically modeled. By applying specific boundary conditions—such as a walking pressure of 70,000 Pa and defined friction coefficients—engineers can measure the resulting displacement of the sole. This digital approach allows designers to optimize tread patterns for safety and grip without the immediate need for expensive physical prototypes.

Core Takeaway: FEA transforms complex physical walking dynamics into a measurable digital model, allowing engineers to predict a shoe's slip resistance by analyzing how specific tread geometries react to pressure and friction.

The Foundation of Virtual Testing: 3D Modeling

Creating Precise Geometric Prototypes

Before simulation begins in Ansys, a high-fidelity 3D model must be constructed, typically using CAD software like SolidWorks.

Specialists model the shoe based on standard lasts, such as a Paris Point size 41, to ensure the scale is industrially relevant.

Every detail of the tread—including tread height, gap spacing, and total sole thickness—is accurately represented to serve as the geometric foundation for the FEA.

Defining Material Properties

The digital model must behave like real-world materials, such as rubber or polyurethane.

In this stage, the software is assigned physical characteristics like elasticity and density, which dictate how the material will deform under stress.

Without accurate material definitions, the simulation cannot reliably predict how the tread will "bite" into or slide across a surface.

Replicating Human Gait in a Digital Environment

Applying Realistic Boundary Conditions

To simulate a human step, Ansys applies a vertical pressure—often standardized at 70,000 Pa—to the shoe sole model.

The simulation also incorporates a landing angle, frequently set at 17 degrees, to mimic the specific moment a heel strikes the ground during a walk.

These parameters ensure the virtual test reflects the actual forces that lead to "slip-and-fall" incidents in the real world.

Simulating Frictional Interactions

The software calculates the interaction between the sole and the floor based on the Available Coefficient of Friction (ACOF).

Engineers input specific variables to represent different floor types or contaminants, such as water or oil.

By simulating a sliding speed of approximately 0.5 meters per second, the software can observe how the tread blocks flex and move under kinetic energy.

Analyzing Performance Through Displacement

Measuring Structural Stability

The primary output for evaluating slip resistance in FEA is displacement analysis.

Ansys tracks how far the sole material moves or "creeps" when the walking pressure is applied against the frictional resistance of the floor.

Minimal displacement under high stress indicates a stable, high-grip design, while excessive movement suggests a high risk of slipping.

Identifying Design Weak Points

Visualization tools within Ansys allow engineers to see "heat maps" of stress and strain across the sole.

These maps highlight which specific tread blocks are failing to provide adequate support or where water might get trapped, reducing grip.

This data allows for rapid iteration, where a designer can tweak a single tread groove and re-test it in minutes.

Understanding the Trade-offs

Simulation Accuracy vs. Real-World Variables

While FEA is highly accurate for geometric optimization, it can struggle to perfectly replicate complex environmental contaminants.

Variables like the microscopic texture of a floor or the chemical degradation of rubber over time are difficult to model with 100% certainty.

Furthermore, digital models assume a "perfect" gait, whereas human walking patterns are highly variable and unpredictable.

The Necessity of Physical Validation

Digital simulation should be viewed as a filtering tool rather than a total replacement for physical testing.

Even the most advanced Ansys models usually require final validation using a portable pendulum friction tester to ensure the shoe meets safety thresholds (typically an ACOF above 0.3).

Relying solely on software without physical cross-verification can lead to "over-optimized" designs that fail in messy, unmodeled real-world conditions.

Applying FEA to Your Design Workflow

Making the Right Choice for Your Goal

To maximize the value of FEA in footwear development, align your simulation strategy with your specific objective.

If your primary focus is rapid prototyping: Use SolidWorks and Ansys to test multiple tread geometries in a virtual environment to eliminate poor designs early.
If your primary focus is safety certification: Use FEA to identify stress points, but prioritize physical pendulum testing to confirm the ACOF meets the 0.3 safety threshold.
If your primary focus is material innovation: Use Ansys to experiment with different elasticity values to see how new rubber compounds affect sole displacement.

By integrating FEA into the design process, you replace guesswork with data-driven precision, resulting in footwear that is both high-performing and inherently safer.

Summary Table:

Simulation Step	Key Parameter / Value	Purpose in FEA
Geometric Modeling	Size 41 Paris Point (CAD)	Provides accurate tread geometry for analysis
Load Application	70,000 Pa (Vertical Pressure)	Mimics human weight and pressure during walking
Gait Angle	17 Degrees	Replicates the critical heel-strike moment
Slip Metrics	Displacement & Stress Maps	Identifies design weak points and stability
Safety Target	> 0.3 ACOF	Benchmarks digital results against safety standards

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References

Farihur Raiyan, Md Samsul Arefin. Numerical Simulation of Slip Resistance of Shoe Sole Tread Patterns Using Finite Element Method. DOI: 10.38032/scse.2025.3.127

This article is also based on technical information from 3515 Knowledge Base .