Analyzing Friction in the Design of Rubber Products and Their Paired Surfaces

Taking a mechanistic approach that emphasizes the physical behavior of rubber as it slides, Analyzing Friction in the Design of Rubber Products and Their Paired Surfaces integrates the engineering and scientific evidence demonstrating that the laws of metallic friction do not apply to rubber. The book also presents a newly developed, scientifically based unified theory of rubber friction that incorporates a fourth basic rubber friction force: surface deformation hysteresis.

With applications that phenomenologically treat both static and dynamic rubber friction, the book offers practical guidance for implementing the unified theory in the analysis and design processes. The use of this theory enables comprehensive calculations of rubber friction, thereby offering opportunities to enhance public safety. While the theory applies to all elastomeric products where friction is an issue, the author primarily focuses on:

• Analyzing friction in the design of rubber tires and their contacted pavements

• The geometric design of roadways

• Motor vehicle accident reconstruction

• Analyzing slip resistance in the design of footwear and their contacted walking surfaces

Supported by extensive analytical evidence, this book details what rubber friction is and why it behaves the way it does.

Robert Horigan Smith