Mechanical, Biomechanical and Psychophysical Study of Carpet Performance

Abstract

This study investigated carpet performance by using mechanical, biomechanical and psychophysical methods. Four different carpets were tested in this study using a force platform which also served as a hard control floor. Compliance modulus was measured to characterize the mechanical property of carpets. Six college students stood barefoot on the force platform covered by a carpet sample under both eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions. The center of pressure recorded by the force platform was used to quantify the postural sway in quiet stance. Perceived comfort was evaluated in different body areas for each flooring condition. Visual environment was found to significantly influence postural sway in quiet standing, and more compliant carpets were observed in general to be associated with faster sway velocity and smaller sway area. Also, more compliant carpets provided better perceived comfort, in particular in ankles and feet.