Analysis of Surface Properties Determining Slip Resistance of Ceramic Tiles

Abstract

Slip resistance tests of pavements form an important part of Construction Products Regulation (CPR) in the EU. Measuring slipperiness is a complex problem. This property is often incomplete or inaccurate. The paper presents new test results of glazed and unglazed ceramic tiles with natural, polished and textured surfaces tested in dry, wet and oily conditions. In the research 3 dierent methods of slip resistance tests were used providing the average angle of inclination, skid-resistance value and coecient of friction. The results show that surface roughness was also a significant factor aecting slipperiness. It is necessary to examine the structure of materials that is why measuring cleanability, as an important contributor to slip resistance and surface roughness, is fundamental in this research. Based on the experiments, it was found out that multiple cycles of sodium hypochlorite treatment could modify the surface of ceramic tiles.