Study on the Friction Coefficient of Pedestrian Instability Under Urban Road Flooding Conditions

• Published in: Water (Basel) Vol. 17; no. 13; p. 1963
• Main Authors: Guo, Junjie, Li, Junqi, Li, Xiaojing, Liu, Di, Wang, Yu, Si, Qin, Wang, Hui
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01.07.2025
• Subjects: Charged particles; China; Dams; Data collection; Environmental aspects; Experiments; Floods; Flow velocity; Friction; Human subjects; Mechanical properties; Pedestrian areas; Pedestrians; Pressure distribution; Rain; Roads; Roads & highways; Sensors; Streets; Traffic accidents & safety; Water; China; Beijing China
• ISSN: 2073-4441; 2073-4441
• DOI: 10.3390/w17131963

In response to the increasing frequency of urban rainstorms, this study focuses on investigating the friction coefficient related to pedestrian instability under urban road flooding conditions. The objective is to conduct an in-depth analysis of the friction coefficient between pedestrians and the ground in actual flood scenarios and its variations, providing practical data to support future pedestrian safety assessments under flood conditions. Wet friction coefficient experiments were conducted under waterlogged conditions, with real human subjects tested across various operational scenarios. A buoyancy calculation formula was introduced to explore the impact of pressure changes caused by buoyancy on the human body in water, influencing the friction coefficient. An exponential relationship between pressure and the friction coefficient was established. Furthermore, by considering factors such as outsole hardness, ground type, and pressure variations with water depth, a dynamic method for selecting the friction coefficient was proposed, offering a scientific basis for determining friction coefficient thresholds associated with pedestrian instability risks. Experimental results indicate that, in the combination of hydrophilic materials with experimental asphalt and cement pavements, the friction coefficient under waterlogged conditions is generally higher than under dry conditions. However, as pressure increases, the friction coefficient of rubber materials decreases. This study concludes that the selection of the friction coefficient in pedestrian instability analysis should be treated as a dynamic process, and relying on a fixed friction coefficient for force analysis of pedestrian instability may lead to significant inaccuracies.