Frictional Behaviour of Bare Foot and Foot Wearing Socks Sliding Against Marble Flooring Tiles

The present experiments provided quantitative results on the static friction coefficient generated by bare foot and foot wearing socks sliding against the tested tiles. Furthermore, the analysis of the test data gave information about the effectiveness of the tested cleaners and detergent. A better knowledge of the parameters which influence friction coefficient would allow the proper selection of the cleaners, detergents and socks for safe walking. The static friction coefficients of bare foot and foot wearing socks walking on wet and dry marble floor tiles used in Tawaf yard and Massaa as well as in halls, entrances and passages areas in Al-Haram in Makkah were tested. The tested cleaners (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), (F) and (G) as well as detergent (H) were added into the washing water. The tested tiles were replenished by the solution. Experiments were carried out using a test rig which was designed and manufactured for these tests. Normal loads were applied by foot up to 700 N. The experimental results showed that for bare foot dry sliding against tiles of Massaa displayed the highest friction values, while tiles of the Halls displayed the lowest ones. The highest values of friction coefficient were in tests using cleaner (B), while the lowest values were observed for cleaner (C), (D) and (E). Furthermore, the tested tiles wetted by detergent (H) and cleaner (A) gave the maximum friction coefficient after drying. Tiles of Massaa displayed values of friction coefficient up to 0.8. The cleaner (F) displayed friction values which could be considered non-slip for tiles of Tawaf and Halls, while tiles of Massaa gave slippery sliding. The cleaner (G) experienced non-slip sliding for tiles of Tawaf and Halls, while tiles of Massaa showed slippery sliding. For foot wearing cotton socks, at dry sliding, it was noticed that the tiles of Massaa displayed the highest friction values followed by the tiles of Tawaf and Halls. The sliding condition ranged between very slip-resistant and slip-resistant. In the presence of water, friction