FRICTION

MECH 313
JSPERANTE
EVSU

Introduction
In preceding chapters, it was assumed that surfaces in
contact were either frictionless (surfaces could move
freely with respect to each other) or rough (tangential
forces prevent relative motion between surfaces).
Actually, no perfectly frictionless surface exists. For two
surfaces in contact, tangential forces, called friction
forces, will develop if one attempts to move one relative
to the other.
MECH 313
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EVSU

Introduction
However, the friction forces are limited in magnitude
and will not prevent motion if sufficiently large forces
are applied.
There are two types of friction: dry or Coulomb friction
and fluid friction. Fluid friction applies to lubricated
mechanisms. The present discussion is limited to dry
friction between non lubricated surfaces.

MECH 313
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EVSU

The Laws of Dry Friction. Coefficients of Friction

Block of weight W placed on horizontal surface.
Forces acting on block are its weight and
reaction of surface N.
Small horizontal force P applied to block. For
block to remain stationary, in equilibrium, a
horizontal component F of the surface reaction
is required. F is a static-friction force.
As P increases, the static-friction force F
increases as well until it reaches a maximum
value Fm.

Fm s N
Further increase in P causes the block to begin
to move as F drops to a smaller kinetic-friction
force Fk.

Fk k N

MECH 313
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EVSU

The Laws of Dry Friction. Coefficients of Friction

Maximum static-friction force:

Fm s N
Kinetic-friction force:

Fk k N
k 0.75 s
Maximum static-friction force and kineticfriction force are:
- proportional to normal force
- dependent on type and condition of
contact surfaces
- independent of contact area

MECH 313
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EVSU

The Laws of Dry Friction. Coefficients of Friction

Four situations can occur when a rigid body is in contact with
a horizontal surface:

No friction,
(Px = 0)

No motion,
(Px < Fm)

Motion impending,
(Px = Fm)

Motion,
(Px > Fm)
MECH 313
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EVSU

Angles of Friction
It is sometimes convenient to replace normal force
N and friction force F by their resultant R:

No friction

No motion

Fm s N
tan s

N
N
tan s s

Motion impending

Motion

Fk k N
tan k

N
N
tan k k
MECH 313
JSPERANTE
EVSU

Angles of Friction
Consider block of weight W resting on board with
variable inclination angle q.

No friction

No motion

Motion impending

Motion

MECH 313
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EVSU

Problems Involving Dry Friction

All applied forces known

All applied forces known

Coefficient of static
friction is known

Motion is impending

Determine whether body

will remain at rest or
slide

Coefficient of static
friction is known

Motion is impending
Determine value of
coefficient of static friction. Determine magnitude
or direction of one of
the applied forces
MECH 313
JSPERANTE
EVSU

Sample Problem 1
SOLUTION:
Determine values of friction force and
normal reaction force from plane
required to maintain equilibrium.
Calculate maximum friction force and
compare with friction force required
for equilibrium. If it is greater, block
will not slide.

A 100 lb force acts as shown on a 300 lb

block placed on an inclined plane. The
coefficients of friction between the block
and plane are ms = 0.25 and mk = 0.20.
Determine whether the block is in
equilibrium and find the value of the
friction force.

If maximum friction force is less than

friction force required for
equilibrium, block will slide.
Calculate kinetic-friction force.

MECH 313
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EVSU

Sample Problem 1
SOLUTION:
Determine values of friction force and normal
reaction force from plane required to maintain
equilibrium.

Fx 0 :

100 lb - 53 300 lb F 0

F 80 lb

Fy 0 :

N - 54 300 lb 0
N 240 lb

Calculate maximum friction force and compare

with friction force required for equilibrium. If it is
greater, block will not slide.

Fm s N

Fm 0.25240 lb 48 lb

The block will slide down the plane.

MECH 313
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EVSU

Sample Problem 1
If maximum friction force is less than friction force
required for equilibrium, block will slide. Calculate
kinetic-friction force.

Factual Fk k N
0.20240 lb

Factual 48 lb

MECH 313
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EVSU

Wedges

Wedges - simple
machines used to raise
heavy loads.
Force required to lift
block is significantly less
than block weight.
Friction prevents wedge
from sliding out.
Want to find minimum
force P to raise block.

Block as freebody

Fx 0 :
N1 s N 2 0

Fy 0 :
W s N1 N 2 0

or

R1 R2 W 0

Wedge as freebody

Fx 0 :

s N 2 N3 s cos 6 sin 6

P0
Fy 0 :

N 2 N3 cos 6 s sin 6 0
or

P R2 R3 0

MECH 313
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EVSU

Sample Problem 2
The position of the machine
block B is adjusted by moving
the wedge A. Knowing that the
coefficient of static friction is
0.35 between all surfaces of
contact, determine the force P
required (a) to raise block B,
(b) to lower block B.

MECH 313
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EVSU

Solution

MECH 313
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EVSU

Solution

MECH 313
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EVSU

Belt Friction

Relate T1 and T2 when belt is about to slide to right.

Draw free-body diagram for element of belt

Fx 0 :

T T cos T cos s N 0
2

Fy 0 : N T T sin

T sin
0
2
2

Combine to eliminate N, divide through by q,

T sin 2

cos
s T

2
2

2
In the limit as qgoes to zero,

dT
sT 0
d
Separate variables and integrate from 0 to

T2
ln s
T1

T2
or
e s
T1

MECH 313
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EVSU

Sample Problem 3
SOLUTION:
Since angle of contact is smaller,
slippage will occur on pulley B first.
Determine belt tensions based on
pulley B.
Taking pulley A as a free-body, sum
moments about pulley center to
determine torque.
A flat belt connects pulley A to pulley B.
The coefficients of friction are ms = 0.25
and mk = 0.20 between both pulleys and
the belt.
Knowing that the maximum allowable
tension in the belt is 600 lb, determine
the largest torque which can be exerted by
the belt on pulley A.
MECH 313
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EVSU

SOLUTION:
Since angle of contact is smaller, slippage will
occur on pulley B first. Determine belt tensions
based on pulley B.

T2
e s
T1
T1

600 lb
e 0.252 3 1.688
T1

600 lb
355.4 lb
1.688

Taking pulley A as free-body, sum moments about

pulley center to determine torque.

MA 0:

M A 8 in.355.4 lb 600 lb 0

M A 163.1lb ft
MECH 313
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EVSU

Sample Problem 4
A hawser thrown from a ship to a pier is
wrapped two full turns around a bollard.
The tension in the hawser is 7500 N; by
exerting a force of 150 N on its free end,
a dockworker can just keep the hawser
from slipping.
(a) Determine the coefficient of friction
between the hawser and the bollard.
(b) Determine the tension in the hawser
that could be resisted by the 150-N force
if the hawser were wrapped three full
turns around the bollard.
MECH 313
JSPERANTE
EVSU

Solution

MECH 313
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EVSU

Solution

MECH 313
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EVSU

Sources
STATICS, Engineering Mechanics, BedFord,
Anthony and Fowler
Vector Mechanics for Engineers, Beer, Ferdinand
Engineering Mechanics, Singer, Ferdinand
Engineering Mechanics, Timoshenko and Young
Engineering Mechanics, Hibbeler, R.C