Finite Element Analysis in the Characteristics of Ostrich Foot Toenail Traveling on Sand

Abstract:

The ostrich foot toenail plays a crucial role in the process of ostrich foot traveling on sand. 3D laser scanner was used to measure the three-dimensional point clouds of ostrich foot toenail surface morphology, and the three-dimensional model of ostrich foot toenail was reconstructed by using reverse engineering technology. The finite element analysis in the interactions between ostrich foot toenail and sand was implemented by Abaqus and Hypermesh. The quasi-static analytical results of ostrich foot toenail inserting the sands showed that the groove structure of the toenail had a better sand fixation effects, the tiptoe structure was conducive to insert into the sands, and the inverted triangular structure of the toenail had the weak disturbance on the sands which produced the less resistance of the toenail inserting the sands. According to the velocity and the stress fields in the process of the ostrich foot toenail dynamically traveling on sand, ostrich foot toenail tiptoe could help to improve the thrust of traveling on sand, the groove area of the toenail played the effects of sand fixation and flow limitation in the process of ostrich foot toenail traveling on sand. Keywords: ostrich foot toenail, reverse engineering, model reconstruction, finite element simulation, sand fixation and flow limitation.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 461)
• Pages: 213-219
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.461.213
• Online since: November 2013
• Authors: Rui Zhang, Hai Bao Liu, Si Hua Zhang, Gui Yin Zeng, Jian Qiao Li
• Keywords: Finite Element (FE) Simulation, Flow Limitation, Model Reconstruction, Ostrich Foot Toenail, Reverse Engineering (RE), Sand Fixation

References

[1] Jie Li, Jide Zhuang, Xiding Qiu, Dong Wei. The Design and Test of Biomimetic Camel Foot Vehicle Running Gear. Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 1999, 19(6), 676-679. (in Chinese).

[2] Aihong Ji, Zhengdong Dai, Laishui Zhou. Research development of bio-inspired robotics. ROBOT. 2005, 27 (3), 284-288. (in Chinese).

[3] N. U. Schaller, K D'Août, B. Herkner, P. Aerts. Structural Attributes Contributing to Locomotor Performance in the Ostrich (Struthio camelus). Journal of Morphology, 2007, 268 (12), 1129.

[4] J. Rubenson, D. G. Lloyd, T. F. Besier, D. B. Heliams, P. A. Fournier. Running in Ostriches (Struthio camelus): Three-dimensional Joint Axes Alignment and Joint Kinematics. The Journal of Experimental Biology, 2007, 210, 2548-2562.

DOI: 10.1242/jeb.02792

[5] Rui Zhang, Sihua Zhang, Xiujuan Li, Maorun Wang. Relationship Between Foot Structure Morphology and Ostrich Traveling Ability on Sand. International Bionic Engineering Conference, Boston, USA, (2011).

[6] J. Rubenson, D. G. Lloyd, D. B. Heliams, T. F. Besier, P. A. Fournier. Adaptations for Economical Bipedal Running: the Effect of Limb Structure on Three-dimensional Joint Mechanics. Journal of the Royal Society Interface, 2011, 8, 740-755.

DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2010.0466

[7] N. U. Schaller, K. D'Août, R. Villa, B. Herkner, P. Aerts. Toe Function and Dynamic Pressure Distribution in Ostrich Locomotion. The Journal of Experimental Biology, 2011, 214, 1123-1130.

DOI: 10.1242/jeb.043596

[8] C. Arnold. Ostriches and other flightless birds. Lerner Pub Group, (1990).

[9] L. Baciadonna, P. Zucca, L. Tommasi. Posture in Ovo as a Precursor of Footedness in Ostriches (Struthio camelus). Behavioural Processes, 2010, 83 (1), 130-133.

DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2009.09.004

[10] Kang Fei. ABAQUS Application in Geotechnical engineering. Beijing: China's water conservancy press, 2010. 62-67. (in Chinese).

[11] Qi Zhao, Ying Xv, Jie Li, Xiao Guo. Models for Describing the Constitutive Relationship of Taklimakan Desert Sand under Moving Vehicle. Journal of Jilin University (engineering science). 2003. 33(1), 42-45. (in Chinese).

[12] R. H. C. Bonser. The Young's Modulus of Ostrich Claw Keratin. Journal of Materials Science Letters, 2000, 19, 1039-1040.

[13] Yingjie Guo. Mechanical and Tribological Behaviours of Several Mammal Keratin Materials. Changchun: Jilin University, 2005. (in Chinese).

[14] Rui Zhang, Sihua Zhang, Fang Liu. Analysis in the Locomotion Mechanism of the Ostrich Traveling on Sand. Chinese academy of agricultural engineering in 2011 academic conference collected papers. Chongqing, P. R. China, 2011, 97. (in Chinese).