Modeling shoe-floor interface properties to predict slips and falls

描述（由申请人提供）：滑倒和跌倒仍然是工伤的主要原因之一。减少这些伤害取决于更好地识别湿滑条件和设计适合各种环境的鞋子和地板。该研究项目的长期目标是通过开发一种计算模型来预测鞋子-地板-污染物界面的摩擦系数（COF），从而减少工作场所因滑倒和跌倒造成的伤害。该模型将基于：1)鞋子-地板-污染物界面的微观特性（材料和表面特性以及润滑特性），以及2)鞋子（即胎面和形状）和地板的宏观设计。微观层面的模型将包括鞋子、地板和污染物的特性测量，这些将结合在一个基于基本摩擦学关系的计算模型中。宏观级模型将把微观级模型合并到鞋底-地板界面的有限元表示中。微观层面的模型预测将与目前的摩擦学COF测试进行比较，宏观层面的模型预测将与目前使用的鞋-地板界面防滑测试设备进行比较。模型预测还将与实际的人类步态滑倒和跌倒进行比较，以确定预测滑倒和/或跌倒的有效性。如果成功，这个模型将能够用于评估，更重要的是，用于各种环境的鞋子和地板的设计。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Slip and falls continue to be one of the leading causes of work-related injuries. The reduction of these injuries is dependent upon improved identification of slippery conditions and the design of proper shoes and floors for various environments. The long-term goal of this research project is to reduce injuries due to slips and falls in the workplace through the development of a computational model that predicts the coefficient of friction (COF) of the shoe-floor-contaminant interface. The model will be based upon: 1) micro-level properties of the shoe-floor-contaminant interface (material and surface characteristics along with lubrication properties), and 2) macro- level designs of the shoe (i.e. tread and shape) and floor. The micro-level model will include measurements of properties of shoes, floors and contaminants that will be combined in a computational model based upon fundamental tribological relationships. The macro-level model will incorporate the micro-level model into a finite element representation of the shoe-floor interface. Micro-level model predictions will be compared to current tribological COF testing and macro-level model predictions will be compared to currently used shoe-floor interface slip resistance testing devices. The model predictions will also be compared to actual human slips and falls during gait to determine the efficacy in predicting slips and/or falls. If successful, this model will be able to be used in the evaluation and, more importantly, the design of shoes and floors for various environments. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Slip and falls continue to be one of the leading causes of work-related injuries. The long-term goal of this research is to reduce injuries due to slips and falls in the workplace. The objective is to develop a computational model of friction that will relate directly to slip based upon: 1) micro- level properties of the shoe-floor-contaminant interface, and 2) macro-level designs of the shoe and floor. The micro-level model will be validated using tribological COF testing. The macro- level model will be compared to slip resistance testers, including a new robotic-based High Payload Precision Slipmeter (HPPS) developed by the investigators. The macro-level model outputs will also be compared to actual human slips and falls during gait to determine the efficacy in predicting slips and/or falls. Thus, the three specific aims are: 1) Develop and validate a micro-level tribological model of the shoe-floor-contaminant interface based upon material properties, surface microstructure and contaminant characteristics. 2) Develop a macro-level model of the shoe-floor-contaminant interface that incorporates the micro-level model and macro-level shape and asperities (i.e. tread). 3) Conduct human slipping experiments to validate the macro-model with actual slip/fall events. If successful, this model will be able to be used in the evaluation and, more importantly, the design of shoes and floors for various environments.