Modeling Shoe-Floor Interface Properties to Predict Slips and Falls

描述（由申请人提供）：滑倒和福尔斯仍然是工伤的主要原因之一。这些伤害的减少取决于对湿滑条件的改进识别以及针对各种环境设计适当的鞋和地板。本研究项目的长期目标是通过开发预测鞋-地板-污染物界面摩擦系数（COF）的计算模型，减少工作场所滑倒和福尔斯造成的伤害。该模型将基于：1）鞋-地板-污染物界面的微观水平特性（材料和表面特性沿着润滑特性），以及2）鞋（即，踏面和形状）和地板的宏观水平设计。微观层面的模型将包括对鞋子、地板和污染物的特性的测量，这些特性将结合在基于基本摩擦学关系的计算模型中。宏观层面的模型将合并到鞋-地板界面的有限元表示的微观层面的模型。微观模型预测将与当前摩擦学COF测试进行比较，宏观模型预测将与当前使用的鞋-地板界面防滑测试装置进行比较。还将模型预测与步态期间的实际人类滑倒和福尔斯进行比较，以确定预测滑倒和/或福尔斯的有效性。如果成功，该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。 公共卫生相关性：滑倒和福尔斯仍然是工伤的主要原因之一。这项研究的长期目标是减少工作场所滑倒和福尔斯造成的伤害。目标是开发摩擦的计算模型，其将基于以下直接与滑动相关：1）鞋-地板-污染物界面的微观水平性质，以及2）鞋和地板的宏观水平设计。将使用摩擦学COF测试对微观模型进行验证。宏观水平的模型将与防滑测试仪进行比较，包括研究人员开发的新的基于机器人的高有效载荷精度滑动仪（HPPS）。还将宏观水平模型输出与步态期间的实际人类滑倒和福尔斯进行比较，以确定预测滑倒和/或福尔斯的功效。因此，三个具体的目标是：1）开发和验证微观层面的摩擦学模型的基础上的材料性能，表面微观结构和污染物特性的鞋-地板-污染物界面。2)开发一个宏观层面的鞋-地板-污染物界面模型，该模型结合了微观层面的模型和宏观层面的形状和粗糙度（即胎面）。3)进行人体滑倒实验，以实际滑倒/跌倒事件验证宏观模型。如果成功，该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.