Friction-Wedges

Wedges are simple machines used to raise large stone blocks and other heavy
loads. It is a piece of metal or wood usually of a triangular or trapezoidal in
cross-section. These loads may be raised by applying to the wedge a force
usually considerably smaller than the weight of the load. While installing heavy
machinery horizontal leveling is required with minimum error. Besides because
of friction existing between the surfaces in contact, a wedge, if properly shape,
will remain in place after being forced under the load. Wedges may thus be
used advantageously to make small adjustments in the position of heavy pieces
of machinery.

When lifting a heavy load the wedge is placed below the load and a horizontal
force is applied as shown in fig. 1 (a). Sliding and so friction forces exist
between contacting surfaces.

The method of drawing the FBDs is explained with the help of fig. 1 (b).

The following example explains the method of solving problems in connection

with wedges.

Example 1: A block A of weight 5000 N is raised by

a 200 wedge B as shown in fig. E1 (a). The angle of
friction is 150. (Please note if co-efficient of friction
is given we can find the angle of friction).
Determine the minimum force P necessary to raise
the load.

Solution: From the problem statement we

understand that the minimum force P is going to
raise the load. Therefore the wedge as well as the
load is ready to move. Therefore impending motion is specified. So friction
equation Fm = µsN is valid.

Draw the free-body diagrams of both the wedge and the load.

Procedure to draw the FBDs (When the load is ready to move up):

Please note that the load is ready to move up and so the wedge will be ready to
move to the right side. Consider points ‘c’ and ‘d’ in fig. E1 (b). Point ‘c’ is on
block A and ‘d’ is on wedge B. Due to the force P let us assume that the wedge
B has moved a small distance to the right side. Considering the positions of
points ‘c’ and ‘d’ in fig. E1 (c), we understand that the block A has moved to the
left with respect to the wedge B. So friction force for block A will be towards
right, downward (refer fig. E1 (d)). Since the bottom surface of block A is
inclined at 200, the normal force N2, (fig. E1 (d)) to this surface will also be
inclined at 200 to the vertical.

Considering points ‘g’ and ‘h’, in fig. E1 (c), the block A is moving vertically up.
So the friction force will be acting vertically downward on the vertical face of
the block A and the normal force N1 will be horizontal (refer fig. E1 (d)).

Considering points ‘e’ and ‘f’, in fig. E1 (c), the wedge has moved to the right. So
friction force will be acting to the left at the bottom of the wedge and normal
force N3 will be vertical (refer fig. E1 (d)).

Refer fig. E1 (d). The resultant force R2 acting on the wedge will be equal and
opposite to the force R2 acting on the load A. The force R2 acting on the block A
is at an angle of 350 with the vertical. Therefore R2 acting on the wedge will also
be making an angle of 350 with the vertical.

The symbol ‘V’ indicates vertical and ‘H’ indicates horizontal. The symbols N1,
N2, N3, N4 etc., indicate normal forces and R1, R2, R3, R4 indicate the resultants
of normal and friction forces.
Fig. E1 (d) shows the FBD
of the load and the
wedge.

Consider the forces acting

on the block A.

By Lami’s theorem,

5000
sin(∅ + 90 + 20 + ∅)
𝑅2
=
sin(90 − ∅)

5000 𝑅2
=
sin(15 + 90 + 20 + 15) sin(90 − 15)

Therefore R2 = 7514 N

Consider the forces acting on the wedge B.

By Lami’s theorem,

𝑃 𝑅2
=
sin(180 − 35 − ∅) sin(90 + ∅)

𝑃 7514
=
sin 130 sin 105
P = 5959 N.
Example 2: A 2000 kg
block is to be raised using
two similar wedges as
shown in fig. E2 (a).
Determine force P required
to raise the load. Take µs =
0.2.

Solution: Follow the hints to draw the FBDs, explained in the previous
problem. The FBDs are given in the fig. E2 (b).

Consider the FBD of the 2000 kg block.

By Lami’s theorem,

2000 𝑥 9.81 𝑅1 𝑅3
= =
sin(2 𝑥 21.31) sin(180 − 21.31) sin(180 − 21.31)

R1 = R3 = 10.53 kN
Consider the FBD of the wedge.

By Lami’s theorem,

𝑃 𝑅1
=
sin(180 − 21.31 − 11.31) sin(90 + 11.31)

P = 5.79 kN

Procedure to draw the FBDs (When the load is ready to move down):

Please note that the load is ready to move down and so the wedge will be ready
to move to the left side. Refer figures A and B. Figure B shows the possible
relative movements between points c and d, e and f, g and f. Based on the
explanations given for figures E1(b) and E1 (c), draw the forces acting on the
two blocks and solve the problem.

For the load A: Friction force at the vertical wall will be acting vertically
upward and at its bottom surface, it will be acting towards left and upward.

For the wedge B: Friction force at its top surface will be acting towards left
and downward and at its bottom surface, it will be acting towards right.
Example 3: The block supports a weight of 4000 N and it is to be prevented
from sliding down by applying a horizontal force P on the block B as shown in
fig. E3 (a). If µs = 0.2 at all the surfaces of contact, determine the smallest force
P required to maintain equilibrium.

Solution: Please note that the block A is not to be

raised as we have seen in the previous problems.
It is to be prevented from sliding down. So it
means that the block A is ready to slide down.
Therefore the friction forces will be acting upward
for the block A at both the surfaces of contact as
shown in fig. E3 (b) and it will be acting
downward for wedge B along the inclined surface of contact between A and B.

When the block A is ready to slide down, the wedge B will be ready to move
towards right. So at the bottom surface of the wedge, the friction force will be
acting towards left.

Based on this the

free-body diagrams
are drawn.

µs = 0.2; So øs = tan-1 (0.2) = 11.310.

Consider the FBD of the block A.

By Lami’s theorem,
 4000 𝑅1 𝑅2
= =
sin(180 − 11.31 − 11.31 − 45) sin(90 + 45 + 11.31) sin(90 + 11.31)

R2 = 4242 N

Consider the FBD of the wedge.

By Lami’s theorem,

𝑃 𝑅2
=
sin(90 + 11.31 + 45 + 11.31) sin(90 − 11.31)

P = 1647 N