This study aims to enhance pedestrian safety by investigating the slip resistance of facility floors with ceramic tile surfaces and identifying critical surface roughness parameters that influence slip resistance.
Dynamic friction tests and comprehensive surface roughness analyses were conducted on ceramic tiles. Statistical analysis identified optimal roughness ranges for key parameters (Ra, Rp, Rt, Rz and Rv) to ensure the dynamic friction coefficient exceeds 0.5 to meet safety requirements. This study assessed different textures under dry, damp and foamy conditions.
The findings reveal that ceramic tile surfaces with higher peak heights and deeper valleys provide superior traction, particularly in damp and foamy conditions. The results demonstrate that specific surface textures can effectively mitigate slip and fall hazards by enhancing grip and increasing surface interaction points. This study establishes optimal roughness ranges for the critical parameters, providing a robust framework for improving slip resistance.
This study offers practical guidelines for designing safer ceramic tiles, emphasising the importance of tailored surface roughness to improve traction. It highlights the importance of considering environmental factors in slip resistance assessments, offering valuable insights for manufacturers, designers and policymakers. By focusing on specific surface textures, this study advances the development of safer built environments in public facilities. Future research directions should explore a broader range of tile finishes, footwear types and contaminant scenarios to refine the understanding of traction performance further.
