Comparative Analysis of Elastic and Viscoelastic Modeling Approaches for Transient Stresses in the Plantar Fascia

This study presents a comparative finite element analysis of the plantar fascia's behavior under transient loading, exploring the impact of elastic and viscoelastic material parameters. The material was modeled using a modified Standard Linear Solid (SLS) model with the elastic component modeled both as linearly elastic and as a hyperelastic material using the Mooney-Rivlin model. For both cases, the viscous component was modeled using one, two, and three dashpots, resulting in a total of six different models analyzed. The accuracy of the models were analyzed and compared to experimental data and the computational efficiency of the models were compared. Our findings underscore the importance of using more complex viscoelastic models, particularly the 2-chain and 3-chain dashpot models, for accurately simulating the mechanical behavior of the plantar fascia. This study offers practical insights into balancing model complexity with solution time, contributing to more effective simulation strategies for biomechanical analysis. Future applications may extend this work to more complex foot models under dynamic loading conditions, enhancing clinical treatment planning for plantar fasciitis.