Analysis of Slipping on Wet Surfaces

Abstract

Slips and falls are common in areas of pedestrian traffic. When the surface of the pathway is dry, standard methods exist to determine the coefficient of friction of the surface for contact with a standard material (Ref 1) or with the material of the actual shoe worn by the person who has slipped. Then the conditions of the slip may be analyzed. (Ref. 2) These same tests can be made when the surface is damp but do not apply when the surface is wet.