Model based foot shape classification using 2D foot outlines

Asanka S. Rodrigo, Ravindra S. Goonetilleke, Channa P. Witana

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study introduces a novel technique to identify foot outline characteristics and to classify feet into groups using turning functions and clustering techniques so that shape can complement anthropometry in producing good fitting shoes. The digital 3D foot scans, obtained from 50 Hong Kong Chinese subjects (25 males and 25 females) were processed to generate the foot outlines at heights of 2 mm and 40 mm. The outlines were represented as turning functions and the similarity among shapes was determined using average linkage clustering. The results show that there are two distinct shape groups for the 40 mm foot outlines on both medial and lateral sides of the foot. The presence (46%) or absence (54%) of a medial bulge characterizes the medial side, while the two shape groups on the lateral side are mainly due to the lateral concavity in the mid-foot region. The group with a lateral concavity consists of more females (68%) and thus lateral side of foot outline appears to be gender related. Furthermore, the medial and lateral side clusters are not related to each other. The medial side shape from the 2 mm foot outline is a good indicator of fallen arches. Based on the analyses, four types of feet were identified: feet with (1) lateral concavity and a medial bulge, (2) a medial bulge and no lateral concavity, (3) lateral concavity and no medial bulge and (4) lateral concavity and a medial bulge. These shape differences can be useful in the design of shoe lasts and in the manufacture of compatible footwear so that trial and error fitting can be minimized.

Original languageBritish English
Pages (from-to)48-55
Number of pages8
JournalCAD Computer Aided Design
Volume44
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2012

Keywords

  • Arch
  • Clustering
  • Digital modeling
  • Foot
  • Foot outline
  • Last design
  • Scanning
  • Shape classification
  • Turning function

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