FRICTION

SLIDESMANIA.CO
 Friction is the contact resistance exerted by one body when the second body moves or tends to
move past the first body. Friction is a retarding force that always acts opposite to the motion or
to the tendency to move.
Types of Friction

Dry Friction, also called Coulomb Friction occurs when unlubricated surfaces of two solids are in contact and
slide or tend to slide from each other. If lubricant separates these two surfaces, the friction created is
called lubricated friction. This section will deal only with dry friction.
SLIDESMANIA.CO
SLIDESMANIA.CO
 Problem:
A 400 lb block is resting on a rough horizontal surface for which the coefficient of friction is 0.40.
Determine the force P required to cause motion to impend if applied to the block
(a) horizontally
(b) downward at 30° with the horizontal.
(c) What minimum force is required to start motion?

Solution:
SLIDESMANIA.CO
SLIDESMANIA.CO
 Problem:
The 2225-N block shown is in contact with 45° incline. The coefficient of static friction is 0.25. Compute
the value of the horizontal force P necessary to
(a) just start the block up the incline
(b) just prevent motion down the incline.
(c) If P = 1780 N, what is the amount and direction of the friction force?
Solution:
SLIDESMANIA.CO
SLIDESMANIA.CO
 Problem:

The blocks shown are connected by flexible, inextensible cords passing over frictionless
pulleys. At A the coefficients of friction are μs = 0.30 and μk = 0.20 while at B they are μs =
0.40 and μk = 0.30. Compute the magnitude and direction of the friction force acting on
each block.

Solution:

Neglecting Friction.
SLIDESMANIA.CO
SLIDESMANIA.CO
 Problem:
What weight W is necessary to start the system of blocks shown moving to the right?
The coefficient of friction is 0.10 and the pulleys are assumed to be frictionless.

Solution:
SLIDESMANIA.CO
 Problem:
A homogeneous block of weight W rests upon the incline shown. If the coefficient of friction is 0.30,
determine the greatest height h at which a force P parallel to the incline may be applied so that the
block will slide up the incline without tipping over.

Solution:
SLIDESMANIA.CO
 Problem:
Block A weighs 120 lb, block B weighs 200 lb, and the cord is parallel to the incline.
Determine the value of just to prevent block B from sliding down the incline. =0.25 on
all contact surfaces.

Solution:
SLIDESMANIA.CO
 Problem:
A force of 400 lb is applied to the pulley shown. The pulley is prevented from rotating by a force
P applied to the end of the brake lever. If the coefficient of friction at the brake surface is 0.20,
determine the value of P.

Solution:
SLIDESMANIA.CO
 Problem:
A homogeneous cylinder 3 m in diameter and weighing 30 kN is resting on two inclined planes as
shown. If the angle of friction is 15° for all contact surfaces, compute the magnitude of the couple
required to start the cylinder rotating counterclockwise.

Solution:
SLIDESMANIA.CO
 WEDGES
A wedge is simply a triangular tool, often made of metal, wood, stone, or plastic. It is thick on one end and tapers to a thin or
sharp edge on the other end. Technically it is an inclined plane (or two inclined planes put together to form a triangle) that
moves. A wedge may be attached to a handle to make it easier to use. Good examples of wedges are nails, knives, axes, and
your teeth!
SLIDESMANIA.CO
 Problem:
Determine the value of P just sufficient to start the 10° wedge under the 40-kN block. The angle of
friction is 20° for all contact surfaces.

Solution:
SLIDESMANIA.CO
 Problem:
Determine the force P required to start the wedge shown. The angle of friction for all surfaces in contact is 15°.

Solution:
SLIDESMANIA.CO
 BELT FRICTION
In any system where a belt or a cable is wrapped around a pulley or some other cylindrical surface, we have the potential for
friction between the belt or cable and the surface it is in contact with. In some cases, such as a rope over a tree branch being
used to lift an object, the friction forces represent a loss. In other cases such as a belt-driven system, these friction forces are
put to use transferring power from one pulley to another pulley.
SLIDESMANIA.CO
SLIDESMANIA.CO
SLIDESMANIA.CO
 REFERENCES:

F.L.Singer, Engineering Mechanics (Statics and Dynamics) 3rd ed.,

WEBSITES:

https://mathalino.com/reviewer/engineering-mechanics/fric
tion

https://engineeringstatics.org/Chapter_09-flexible-belt-
friction.html
SLIDESMANIA.CO
SLIDESMANIA.CO