Staircase Wear Simulation and Nondestructive Assessment Based on an Optimized Archard Model

Abstract

Staircase wear constitutes critical archaeological evidence for reconstructing usage patterns and occupation dynamics. This study introduces a Staircase Wear Model for simulating the formation and evolution of tread wear and a complementary Stair Wear Assessment Model for non-destructive evaluation across diverse contexts. An Optimized Archard framework relates stepwise material loss to use frequency through calibrated contact mechanics, accommodating heterogeneous substrates and surface conditions. Directional asymmetries are addressed by a Traveling Direction Judgment Model that distinguishes ascent and descent trajectories and maps their respective load paths onto tread geometry. Crowd effects are incorporated via an improved strategy that infers concurrent user groups, estimates effective capacity, and delineates same-wear regions reflecting spatial interactions among footprints. The integrated workflow yields temporally plausible wear fields, supports inverse inference of circulation intensity and preferred movement directions, and provides reproducible indicators for comparing staircases within and between sites. Emphasis on interpretability, computational efficiency, and compatibility with photogrammetry or 3D scanning inputs facilitates routine application in archaeological documentation, conservation planning, and hypothesis testing.