- Author
- Sigler, P. A. | Geib, M. N. | Boone, T. H.
- Title
- Measurement of the Slipperiness of Walkway Surfaces.
- Coporate
- National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD
- Journal
- Journal of Research of the National Bureau of Standards, Vol. 40, 339-346, May 1938
- Report
- Research Paper 1879; RP 1879,
- Keywords
- walkways | coatings | surface effects | design applications | human beings | tests | velocity | instruments
- Identifiers
- human locomation; slipperiness tester; effects of varying constants of the instrument; effect of varying the pressure between the mechanical heel and the walkway surface; relative slipperiness of a variety of walkway surfaces
- Abstract
- The establishment of a safety code for walkway surfaces has been materially handicapped by the lack of an adequate method of measuring slipperiness. The mechanics of walking as related to slipping and the design of testing instruments are briefly discussed. In order to test floors in actual service a portable slipperiness tester of the pendulum-impact type was designed and constructed. The design is based on the premise that, in the process of ordinary walking, slipping is most likely to occur when the walkway surface is first contacted by the edge of the heel. The instrument and test procedure are described. The· effects of varying some of the constants of the instrument, such as the angle of contact between the test heel and the walkway surface, and the pressure between the heel and the walkway, are discussed. Typical results obtained with both rubber and leather test heels and under both dry and wet conditions are given for various flooring and finishing materials. In general, the traction furnished by dry rubber heels is much better than that obtained with dry leather heels. Many walkway surfaces are hazardous when wet. Good antislip properties under wet conditions are usually associated with rough particles that project through the film of water and thus prevent its action as a lubricant.