Veterinary Science Collected Works - Theses
Permanent URI for this collection
Search Results
1 - 1 of 1
-
ItemInvestigation of equine hoof biomechanics using experiment, finite element and machine learning methods( 2022)This thesis investigates the biomechanics of the horse hoof, emphasising on its shape, deformation during movement, and influencing variables. Previous in vivo studies evaluated hoof shape parameters, such as proximal hoof circumference, to examine hoof conformation. In the majority of cases, a traditional measuring method, such as a measuring tape, was used, and, in a few instances, advanced measuring technology was utilised. To replace conventional measurement tools with modern technologies, it is necessary to assess their accuracy, reliability, and practicality. Therefore, the current study conducted a technical comparison between the measuring tape, 3D scanning and photogrammetry for measuring proximal hoof circumference. Considering the 3D scanner to be the most accurate method, the measuring tape was more accurate than photogrammetry. In addition, the inter- and intra-rater reliabilities of tape measurements were reported to be excellent. In the next step, a finite element analysis of the horse hoof deformation was performed. An artificial neural network was trained to obtain the whole deformation response of the hoof for varied tissue hydration levels, and trotting and standing locomotion modes. Results showed that increasing environmental hydration significantly increased strains on the hoof wall. The study also demonstrated how adopting advanced material models, such as hyperelastic compared to linear elastic, improved the accuracy of finite element analysis. Dynamic finite element analysis of the hoof was then conducted over a full trot stride and in vivo measurements were obtained to examine the impact of a toe-in conformation on the hoof's biomechanical response. The study hypothesised that different deformation patterns and hoof kinematics in toe-in hooves are caused by a different path of the centre of pressure under the hoof. Consequently, the model was allocated two distinct centres of pressure paths associated with normal and toe-in conformations. The finite element model generated similar strain patterns to those seen in vivo on the hoof walls and successfully demonstrated the distinct kinematics of toe-in and normal hooves. Lastly, the study examined the effect of toe-in conformation on laminitis. A total of 100 trotting loading cycles were applied to the model. The laminar junction injury was simulated by decreasing the tissue's elastic modulus in the presence of excessive maximum principal stresses. In both the normal and toe-in models, the injury began in the quarters. In the normal hoof, however, laminar junction tissue degeneration was distributed symmetrically at the quarters, whereas the toe-in model had a lateral concentration of degeneration. The models replicated clinical observations, indicating the third phalanx dorsal rotation, a symmetric distal displacement of the third phalanx dorsal in the normal model, and an asymmetric distal displacement of the third phalanx dorsal in the toe-in model.