Fancy Feet! Stress & Strain Forces in Shoe Design
Students use the engineering design process to solve a real-world problem—shoe engineering! Working in small teams, they design, build and test a pair of wearable platform or high-heeled shoes, taking into consideration the stress and strain forces that it will encounter from the shoe wearer. They conclude the activity with a "walk-off" to test the shoe designs and discuss the design process.
Shoes under stress!
Today, thousands of different types of shoes exist in our world and just as many engineers are working to develop new styles and improve existing designs. Engineers consider many variables when designing shoes—material type for durability and function, anticipated shoe stresses and strains, the health and safety of the shoe wearer, and the shoe's aesthetics. Engineers often work with podiatrists to design high-tech shoes that are safe, comfortable and stylish! Mechanical engineers apply principles of physics to analyze, design and manufacture mechanical systems, including new shoes. Materials engineers—specialists in the structure of materials and their properties—select and design the best combinations of materials for specific shoe purposes.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Explain how engineers are involved in the analysis and design of contemporary shoe technology.
- List different aesthetic and structural considerations involved in shoe design.
- Follow the steps of the engineering design process to analyze, model and optimize a problem.