Design of an automated simulated stepping dynamic coefficient of friction measurement device

Frictional phenomena are of importance in technical areas, as well as in our daily life. Accidents caused by a worker's foot slipping has been and continues to be a serious problem faced by the industry throughout the world. The Department of Industrial Engineering at Texas Tech University, in association with the Mechanical Engineering Department is actively involved in research related to slips and falls. A fall arresting system has already been fabricated, and is in operation to test human subjects during actual slips and falls. There is, however, a need to relate the dynamics of the fall to the frictional characteristics of the shoesole and the floor. A portable device was designed to simulate a human leg, from the knee the joint down. This can be moved on location for measurements. These measurements include the forces transmitted to the shoe which is mounted on the leg, the angular displacement of the leg, and the velocity of the slip.