A plug-in for automating the finite element modeling of flatfoot

Abstract

To automate the process of flatfoot finite element (FE) modeling, a software plug-in was developed and introduced in this paper. The plug-in was written in Python and based on the Abaqus Scripting Interface. It consists of three modules: script data, GUI (graphic user interface), and script command. The plug-in is integrated into Abaqus/CAE and can be easily adopted to reduce modeling time and efforts. The detailed procedures regarding FE modeling were automated by the proposed plug-in, and the users only have to determine and pick the corresponding nodes to represent the origin and insertion of ligaments, plantar fascias, and other small tissues of interests. By applying the proposed plug-in, the complicated modeling procedure can be simplified and sped up, and the users’ workload can be dramatically alleviated.