Method for Measuring Friction Performance for Tertiary Packaging Under Dynamic Loading Representative of Transport Conditions

A critical function of tertiary packaging is to ensure cargo stability and security during transportation, preventing load shifts that may cause accidents or damage. This paper addresses the complexities of securing loads, particularly focusing on the coefficient of friction between the load and the transport vehicle's surface, which plays a crucial role in load stability and packaging system design. Anti‐slip mats, widely used in securing cargo, rely on a well‐defined friction coefficient. However, this coefficient varies with transport conditions and is rarely characterized under dynamic loading scenarios. The primary objective of this study is to introduce an innovative experimental method to study the friction coefficient of anti‐slip mats under conditions that replicate real transportation dynamics. To establish a foundation, we first analysed typical accelerations encountered in road transportation. Using a custom GPS‐accelerometer sensor embedded, we captured in situ acceleration data. These measurements offer insights into the frequency spectrum and amplitude of transport‐induced accelerations, vital for replicating such conditions in laboratory settings. Subsequently, we present the design of a testing machine that simulates the variation of normal load under a cargo caused by the transport vehicle dynamics and vibration. This compact system uses two symmetrical motors that oscillate masses at desired positions to produce a varying normal force. By measuring both normal load and traction force required to move the machine, it enables the calculation of friction coefficient variations as the applied load changes dynamically. The results contribute to establishing a more accurate characterization of anti‐slip materials behaviour under realistic dynamic transport conditions.