Using Kinetics to Determine Slip Probability in a Movement Associated with a High Risk of Slip Occurrence

Slips, trips and falls are one of the leading causes of injury and result in billions of dollars in medical and insurance costs annually. Current determination of slip potential does not always accurately predict whether an individual will slip or not. To better predict slip incidents, it may be possible to evaluate only one component, horizontal force, of the current friction calculation. The purpose of this dissertation was to determine if horizontal force generation would serve as a more accurate predictor of slip probability for movements associated with a high-risk of slipping; a 90° change in direction. It was discovered that if at least 50N of horizontal force was generated by 10.08ms following heel-strike, the corresponding slip distance was less than 100mm. By using the horizontal force generation associated with early heel-strike, the probability of correctly classifying slip and non-slip situations was greater compared to the currently utilized friction method.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MSc)

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Graduate Studies

Year dc:date.issued

2014

Author dc:creator

• Schrier, Nicole

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Stefanyshyn, Darren

• Biophysics
• Occupational Health and Safety

Statement dc:rights

• University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.

Language dc:language.iso

eng

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/28617

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ucalgary.scholaris.ca:11023/1802