212
Views
67
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Articles

Rubbers and plastics in shoes and flooring: the importance of kinetic friction

Pages 83-99 | Published online: 31 May 2007
 

Abstract

Traditionally it has been assumed that static friction and dynamic friction are distinct with static always greater than dynamic. Experimental evidence indicates that rubbers and plastics show a continuous change of friction with velocity. Walking is safe if friction (slip resistance) increases rapidly as velocity increases, or alternatively if, under all conditions, the coefficient of friction is greater than the maximum H/V value observed in a force plate experiment. If, however, friction decreases as velocity increases then the situation is potentially dangerous since the requirements for stability increase as the stride is inadvertently lengthened. Sometimes a decrease in temperature can change an increasing friction coefficient to a decreasing one and instability in walking may result. Contaminants drastically alter the friction of all materials and mud or other wet slurries are extremely dangerous. Because walking stick ferrules need to have a much higher friction than shoe soles or heels, a level of dry dust which is not dangerous under normal conditions may be hazardous to those needing a walking aid. Laboratory assessment of flooring materials should always take account of contaminants and cleaning methods.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.