Effects of Floor Material, Surface Condition, and Foot Moving Speed on the Coefficient of Friction on the Floor

Abstract:

A laboratory study was conducted to measure the coefficient of friction between the foot and the floor under three surface and two foot sliding speed conditions. A force platform was adopted to measure the ground reaction force (GRF) of the foot on the floor. The coefficient of friction was calculated as the ratio of vertical and horizontal GRF. Five male subjects were recruited. They were requested to slide their right foot on the tested floor which was mounted on the force platform. The results indicated that floor material, surface condition, and foot sliding speed were all significant factor affecting the COF. Ceramic tile had lower COF under all surface and sliding speed conditions as compared to steel, wood, and vinyl tiles.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volumes 303-306)
• Pages: 2704-2707
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.303-306.2704
• Online since: February 2013
• Authors: Kai Way Li, Chan Chi Lin
• Keywords: Barefoot, Coefficient of Friction, Force Platform, Slip Prevention

References

[1] Courtney, T. K., Sorock, G. S., Manning, D. P., Collins, J. W. and Holbein-Jenny, M. A. Occupational slip, trip, and fall-related injuries – can the contribution of slipperiness be isolated? Ergonomics, 44, 1118-1137 (2001).

DOI: 10.1080/00140130110085538

[2] Leamon, T. B., Murphy, P. L., Occupational slips and falls: more than a trivial problem. Ergonomics 38(3), 487-498 (1995).

DOI: 10.1080/00140139508925120

[3] Chang, W. R., Cotnam, J. P. and Matz, S. Field evaluation of two commonly used slipmeters, Applied Ergonomics, 34, 51-60 (2003).

DOI: 10.1016/s0003-6870(02)00074-1

[4] Chang, W.R., Kim, I.J., Manning, D.P., Bunterngchit, Y., The role of surface roughness in the measurement of slipperiness. Ergonomics 44, 1200-1216 (2001).

DOI: 10.1080/00140130110085565

[5] Institute for Occupational Safety & Health. Annual Labor Inspection Report, Council for Labor Affairs, ROC, Taipei (2011).

[6] Li, K.W., Chang, W.R., Leamon, T.B., Chen, C.J., Floor slipperiness measurement: friction coefficient, roughness of floors, and subjective perception under spillage conditions. Safety Science 42, 547-565 (2004).

DOI: 10.1016/j.ssci.2003.08.006

[7] Li, K.W., Chen, C.J., Effects of tread groove orientation and width of the footwear pads on measured friction coefficients. Safety Science 43, 391-405 (2005).

DOI: 10.1016/j.ssci.2005.08.006

[8] Li, K.W., Hsu, Y.W., Chang, W.R., Lin, C.H., Friction Measurements on Three Commonly used Floors on a College Campus Under Dry, Wet, and Sand-Covered Conditions. Safety Science 45(9), 980-992 (2007).

DOI: 10.1016/j.ssci.2006.08.030

[9] Li, K., W., Yu, R., Zhang, W., Roughness and slipperiness of floor surface: tactile sensation and perception. Safety Science 49, 508-512 (2011).

DOI: 10.1016/j.ssci.2010.11.010