Engineering Mechanics
6 Friction
University of Raparin
Civil Engineering Department
First Year (2022-2023)
Engineering Mechanics
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen Mohammed Saeed
Najmadeen_qasre@uor.edu.krd
Ch6: Friction
6.1 Nature of friction
Friction
• Force that resists the movement of two contacting
surfaces that slide relative to one another
• Acts tangent to the surfaces at points of contact with
other body
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 2
Ch6: Friction
APPLICATIONS
In designing a brake system for a
bicycle, car, or any other vehicle, it
is important to understand the
frictional forces involved.
For an applied force on the brake
pads, how can we determine the
magnitude and direction of the
resulting friction force?
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 3
Ch6: Friction
APPLICATIONS
(continued)
The rope is used to tow the
refrigerator.
In order to move the
refrigerator, is it best to pull up
as shown, pull horizontally, or
pull downwards on the rope?
What physical factors affect the
answer to this question?
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 4
Ch6: Friction
Types of Friction
Dry Friction Fluid Friction
Occurs between the non-lubricated Occurs with fluids,or
surfaces of solid objects lubricated surfaces
Static Friction Dynamic Friction
When dry friction acts between
two surfaces that are not > When dry friction acts
between two surfaces that are
moving relative to each other moving relative to each other
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 5
Ch6: Friction
Nature of friction
Theory of Dry Friction
• Consider the effects caused by pulling horizontally on
a block of uniform weight W which is resting on a
rough horizontal surface
• Consider the surfaces of contact to be nonrigid or
deformable and other parts of the block to be rigid
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 6
Ch6: Friction
Nature of friction
Theory of Dry Friction
• Normal force ∆Nn and frictional force
∆Fn act along the contact surface
• For equilibrium, normal forces act upward to balance
the block’s weight W, frictional forces act to the left to
prevent force P from moving the block to the right
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 7
Ch6: Friction
Nature of friction
Theory of Dry Friction
• Many microscopic irregularities exist between the two
surfaces of floor and the block
• Reactive forces ∆Rn developed at each of the
protuberances
• Each reactive force consist
of both a frictional component
∆Fn and normal component ∆Nn
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 8
Ch6: Friction
Contact Force in Running
Friction Force
Normal Force
runner’s push
Resultant force on runner
During the push off phase in running, the normal force acts
upward on the runner, while the friction force acts forward on
the runner. The friction force is the only force capable of
moving the runner horizontally down the track. The normal
force can only accelerate the runner upwards.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 9
Ch6: Friction
Nature of friction
Theory of Dry Friction
Equilibrium
• Effect of normal and frictional loadings are indicated
by their resultant N and F
• Distribution of ∆Fn indicates that F is tangent to the
contacting surface, opposite to the direction of P
• Normal force N is determined
from the distribution of ∆Nn
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 10
Ch6: Friction
Nature of friction
Theory of Dry Friction
Equilibrium
• N is directed upward to balance W
• N acts a distance x to the right of the line of action of
W
• This location coincides with the centroid or the
geometric center of the loading diagram in order to
balance the “tipping effect” caused by P
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 11
Ch6: Friction
Laws, Coefficient and Angle of friction
Theory of Dry Friction
Impending Motion
• As P is slowly increased, F correspondingly increase
until it attains a certain maximum value F, called the
limiting static frictional force
• Limiting static frictional force Fs is directly proportional
to the resultant normal force N
Fs = μsN
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 12
Ch6: Friction
Laws, Coefficient and Angle of friction
Theory of Dry Friction
Impending Motion
• Constant of proportionality μs is known as the
coefficient of static friction
• Angle Φs that Rs makes with N is called the angle of
static friction
Fs −1 s N
s = tan = tan
−1
= tan −1
s
N N
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 13
Ch6: Friction
Laws, Coefficient and Angle of friction
Theory of Dry Friction
Typical Values of μs
Contact Materials Coefficient of Static Friction μs
Metal on ice 0.03 – 0.05
Wood on wood 0.30 – 0.70
Leather on wood 0.20 – 0.50
Leather on metal 0.30 – 0.60
Aluminum on aluminum 1.10 – 1.70
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 14
Ch6: Friction
Friction laws for dry surface on horizontal plane
– Condition 1: No applied load (Not moving)
• No friction
Weight(W)
F
Normal
force(N)
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 15
Ch6: Friction
– Condition 2 : applied load P pushed the block and the block has
impending motion
• F acted as a reacting force an not be great enough to balance P and
subsequently the block will tend to slip.
• In other words P will slowly increases until the block is on verge
sliding, F can be to max value (Fmax) but the block still in equilibrium
– At this state F is know as static friction force, FS
Weight(W)
Fs=μsN
P
F Coefficient of
Normal static friction
force(N)
Notes: if F=P, F< Fs, the equation of FS can not be use to determine the
friction since the friction force not achieved the maximum value
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 16
Ch6: Friction
Example 6.1
A 5 kg block of wood rests on a ceramic counter. If the
coefficient of static friction between the block and the counter
is 0.4, what horizontal force is necessary to move the block.
Fh Fh Free body
5 kg mg diagram
Ff
FN
Normal force = FN = mg = 5 x 9.81 = 49 N
Fh= Friction force = FN = 0.4 x 49 = 19.6 N
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 17
Ch6: Friction
Example 6.2
The uniform crate has a mass of 20kg. If a force P = 80N
is applied on to the crate, determine if it remains in
equilibrium. The coefficient of static friction is μ = 0.3.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 18
Ch6: Friction
Solution
Resultant normal force NC act a distance x from the crate’s
center line in order to counteract the tipping effect caused
by P.
3 unknowns to be determined by 3 equations of equilibrium.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 19
Ch6: Friction
Solution
+ → Fx = 0;
80 cos 30 N − F = 0
F = 69.3N
+ Fy = 0;
−80sin 30 N + N C − 196.2N = 0
N C = 236.2N
M O = 0;
80sin 30 N(0.4m) − 80 cos 30 N(0.2m) + N C ( x) = 0
x = −0.00908m = −9.08mm
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 20
Ch6: Friction
Solution
Since x is negative, the resultant force acts (slightly) to
the left of the crate’s center line.
No tipping will occur since x ≤ 0.4m
Max frictional force which can be developed at the
surface of contact
Fmax = μsNC = 0.3(236N) = 70.8N
Since F = 69.3N < 70.8N, the crate will not slip thou it is
close to doing so.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 21
Ch6: Friction
Example 6.3
For the following situation, find the least coefficient of
friction between the ground and the ladder.
Solution
S • N = 250 Newton
• Take moment about A,
smooth
S x 4 sin 60o = 250 x 2 cos 60o
N S = 72.17 Newton
• f = S = 72.17 Newton
60o • The ladder is about to slip,
f A f = N
250 N 72.17 = x 250
= 0.289
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 22
Ch6: Friction
Example 6.4
• The 70N force shown in figure causes impending motion to the right.
The block is not moving due to this force. Determine the static
coefficient of friction, μs. Given the mass of block is 40kg.
70N
Solution;
Draw the free body diagram of block.
W = mg = 40(9.81)
W
70N = 392.4N
W=N
Ncc Fs F 70
s = = = 0.18
N 392.4
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 23
Ch6: Friction
Example 6.5
• The mass of block is 20000 kg is subjected to the applied load
as shown in figure. Determine the friction force if μs = 0.5.
80kN
Ө=20º
Solution;
Draw the free diagram of block.
80 sin 20º =27.4kN
W=mg 80kN
Ө=20º
=20000(9.81) 80 cos 20º =75.2kN
F
=196.2kN N
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 24
Ch6: Friction
ΣFy ↑=ΣFy↓
27.4 + N = 196.2 or can be write as 27.4 + N – 196.2 =0
N = 168.8 kN
Fx = 0 , 75.2 – F = 0
75.2 kN= F
• The friction force, Fs = μs N = 0.5(168.8) = 84.4kN.
• The value of Fs then compare to the F. Show that F < Fs. The block
is not moving yet. The equation of Fs can not be used to determine
the friction since the friction forces not achieved the maximum value.
• The friction force is F = 75.2kN.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 25
Ch6: Friction
Example 6.6
Given: A uniform ladder weighs 30 lb.
The vertical wall is smooth (no friction).
The floor is rough and s = 0.2.
Find: Whether it remains in this position
when it is released.
Plan:
a) Draw a FBD.
b) Determine the unknowns.
c) Make any necessary friction assumptions.
d) Apply E-of-E (and friction equations, if appropriate ) to
solve for the unknowns.
e) Check assumptions, if required.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 26
Ch6: Friction
NB
12 ft FBD of the ladder
30 lb
12 ft
FA
NA
5 ft 5 ft
There are three unknowns: NA,
FA, NB.
+ FY = NA – 30 = 0 ; so NA = 30 lb
+ MA = 30 ( 5 ) – NB( 24 ) = 0 ; so NB = 6.25 lb
+ → FX = 6.25 – FA = 0 ; so FA = 6.25 lb
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 27
Ch6: Friction
NB FBD of the ladder
12 ft
30 lb
12 ft
FA
NA
5 ft 5 ft
Now check the friction force to see if the ladder
slides or stays.
Fmax = s NA = 0.2 * 30 lb = 6 lb
Since FA = 6.25 lb Ffriction max = 6 lb,
the pole will not remain stationary. It will move.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 28
Ch6: Friction
Example 6.7
Given: Refrigerator weight = 180 lb,
s = 0.25
Find: The smallest magnitude of P
that will cause impending motion
(tipping or slipping) of the refrigerator.
Plan:
a) Draw a FBD of the refrigerator.
b) Determine the unknowns.
c) Make friction assumptions, as necessary.
d) Apply E-of-E (and friction equation as appropriate) to
solve for the unknowns.
e) Check assumptions, as required.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 29
Ch6: Friction
1.5 1.5
ft ft
P
180
4 ft
lb
3 ft
0
F
X
N
FBD of the refrigerator
There are four unknowns: P, N, F and x.
First, let’s assume the refrigerator slips. Then the
friction equation is F = s N = 0.25 N.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 30
Ch6: Friction
1.5 1.5
P ft ft
P
180
4 ft lb
3 ft
+ → FX = P – 0.25 N = 0 0
+ FY = N – 180 = 0 F
X
N
These two equations give: FBD of the
P = 45 lb and N = 180 lb refrigerator
+ MO = 45 (4) + 180 (x) = 0
Check: x = 1.0 1.5 so OK!
Refrigerator slips as assumed at P = 45 lb
Asst. Prof. Dr. Najmadeen 31
