Methods development to test comfort of protective footwear usage with the use of artificial foot model.

Project manager: Emilia Irzmańska Ph.D. (Eng.)

Project summary:

Thermal foot model was developed to test heat and sweat stimulation during use of protective footwear. The scope of work included the formulation of guidelines for protective footwear comfort test methods , design and construction of the position and development of technical documentation, as well as, description associated with quality control tests. For the built simulator it is possible to discharge moisture up to 7th level and to release heat in 9 independent isothermal zones. Developed position allows to reconstruct the phenomenon of air exchange between the shoe and the environment, as well as, the process associated with real footwear use and an evaluation of the microclimate in the space between the foot and footwear. Novelty of the constructed model, compared to existing solutions in the world, is height of the simulator as it allows to test 5 versions of protective footwear design, the ability to study microclimate in footwear and customized sweating system through perspiration moisture emitters which provide water release similar to human sweat glands. The test for protective footwear comfort method with usage of thermal artificial foot model was validated. Protective footwear criteria were developed and verified. The basis of the work was to perform experimental tests for 10 protective footwear, differing in the type of construction, classification, and type of protective elements. For the developed protective footwear comfort test methods on an artificial feet model, validation was made within-and inter-laboratory with the Finnish Institutes of Occupational Health (Finland).

Unit: Department of Personal Protective Equipment

Duration: 01.01.2011 – 31.12.2013