FRICTION TUTORIALS

Tutorial 2.1: Find the force required to move Solution: Given: Load, W = 30 N μ = 0.3
a load of 30 N up a rough inclined plane, the Let α = Inclination of the plane with horizontal
force being applied parallel to the plane. The P1 = Force required to move the load up a rough
inclination of the plane is such that when the inclined plane, when the force is applied parallel to the
same body is kept on a perfectly smooth plane.
plane inclined at that angle, a force of 6 N The force applied when same body is kept on a smooth
applied at an inclination of 30° to the plane inclined plane, P2 = 6 N.
keeps the same in equilibrium. Assume co- Inclination of the force with the inclined plane, θ = 30°.
efficient of friction between the rough plane
and the load is equal to 0.3.
1st Case. Consider the body of weight 30 N placed on a
smooth inclined plane as shown in Fig. 6.21.
The forces acting on the body are:
(i) The weight (W = 30 N) vertically downward.
(ii) The force P2 (= 6 N) at an angle of 30with the
inclined plane.
(iii) The normal reaction R.
Resolving forces normal to the inclined plane.
R + P2 sin 30= W cos α
R + 6 ×0.5 = 30 cos α...(i)
(Since P2 = 6 N, W = 30 N)
Resolving forces along the inclined plane,
P2 cos 30 = W sin α
6 × 0.866 = 30 sin α
α= 9.974.
2nd Case. The body of weight 30 N is placed on a
rough inclined plane having inclination α (= 9.974°) with
the horizontal as shown in Fig. 6.22.
The forces acting on the body are:
(i) The weight W (= 30 N) vertically downward.
(ii) The force P1, parallel to the plane.
(iii) The normal reaction R*.
(iv) Force of friction F = μR*.
Resolving the forces along the inclined plane,
W sin α + F = P1
30 sin 9.974° + μR* = P1 ...(ii)
(Since F = μR* and α = 9.974°)
Resolving the forces normal to the inclined plane
R* = W cos α (where α = 9.974°)
= 30 × cos 9.974°
= 30 × 9.9848 = 29.544N
Substituting the value of R* in equation (ii), we get
30 × sin 9.974 + μ × 29.544 = P1
30 × 0.1732 + 0.3 × 29.544 = P1
P1 = 14.059 N

Page 1 of 10
BANKING OF ROADS WITHOUT FRICTION

N cos θ mg (Along the – axis)

N sin θ (Along the – axis)
⇒ tan θ
(Safe Speed /Correct speed)

tan (Angle of Banking)

• If the speed is more than , it tends to skid outwards

• If the speed is less than , it tends to skid inwards

Tutorial 2.2: The car has a mass of

1.6 Mg and centre of mass at G. If the
coefficient of static friction between
the shoulder of the road and the tires
is µs = 0.4, determine the greatest
slope θ the shoulder can have without
causing the car to slip or tip over if
the car travels along the shoulder at
constant velocity.

Page 2 of 10
WEDGES
A wedge is a simple machine that is often used to transform an applied force into much larger
forces, directed at approximately right angles to the applied force. Wedges also can be used
to slightly move or adjust heavy loads.
Applications
 Machine tools
 Rail track alignment
 Structural lifting
 Mechanical presses

Wedge Analysis
The forces acting on wedges include:

 Load
 Applied force
 Normal reactions
 Friction forces

Equilibrium equations are applied to determine required effort.

Tutorial 2.3: The uniform stone in Fig. 8–13a has a mass of 500 kg and is held in the
horizontal position using a wedge at B. If the coefficient of static friction is μs = 0.3 at the
surfaces of contact, determine the minimum force P needed to remove the wedge. Assume that
the stone does not slip at A

 The minimum force P requires F = μsN at the surfaces of contact with the wedge. The
free-body diagrams of the stone and wedge are shown in Fig. 8–13b.
 On the wedge the friction force opposes the impending motion, and on the stone at A,
FA = μsNA, since slipping does not occur there.
 There are five unknowns. Three equilibrium equations for the stone and two for the
wedge are available for solution.

Page 3 of 10
From the free-body diagram of the stone,

NOTE: Since P is positive, indeed the wedge must be pulled out. If P were zero, the wedge
would remain in place (self-locking) and the frictional forces developed at B and C would
satisfy FB < μsNB and FC < μsNC

Tutorial 2.4: Determine the minimum applied force P required to move wedge A to the right.
The spring is compressed a distance of 175 mm. Neglect the weight of A and B. The coefficient
of static friction for all contacting surfaces is µs = 0.35. Neglect friction at the rollers.

Page 4 of 10
BELT FRICTION
Belt drives transmit power between rotating shafts. Whenever belt drives or band brakes are
designed, it is necessary to determine the frictional forces developed between the belt and its
contacting surface.

Examples:
 Vehicle engines
 Industrial machines
 Conveyor systems

Tension Relationship
For a flat belt:
" #$
!

Where:

 T1 = Tight side tension

 T2 = Slack side tension
 μ = Coefficient of friction
 θ = Angle of contact (in Radians)

Page 5 of 10
Power Transmission
Power transmitted:
% & − !(

Where: v = Belt velocity

Tutorial 2.5: A belt is running over a pulley of diameter 120 cm at 200 r.p.m. The angle of
contact is 165° and co-efficient of friction between the belt and pulley is 0.3. If the maximum
tension in the belt is 3000 N, find the power transmitted by the belt.
Solution: Given:
Dia. of pulley, d = 120 cm = 1.2 m Speed of pulley, N = 200 r.p.m.
Angle of contact, θ = 165° = 165 × (π/180) = 2.88 radians
Co-efficient of friction, μ = 0.3
Max. tension, T1 = 3000 N
Velocity of belt,
)*+ ) 1.2 200
12.56 2/4
60 60
Let T2 = Tension on the slack side of the belt
Using equation:

" #$
!

3000
" 6.7 8 !.99 " 6.9:7;< 2.372
!

3000
! 1264.5 +
2.372
Power transmitted is given by equation as,
% & − !(

% &3000 − 1264.5( ? 12.56 21797.92 A BC. DEFG

Page 6 of 10
FRICTIONAL FORCES ON SCREWS
Screws are incorporated to machines to transmit power or motion from one part of the
machine to another.
 A square-threaded screw is commonly used, especially when large forces are applied
along its axis
Applications
 Screw jacks
 Bench vices
 Presses
 Lifting mechanisms

Helix Angle
I
H
JK
or
L
H
2)
or
M
H
2)

Where:
 p = Pitch (or l = lead) the vertical distance moved for each revolution
 d = Mean diameter

Lead angle α is determined from

M
H & (
2)

where l and 2πr are the vertical and horizontal distances between

Case 1: Torque or Moment Required to Raise Load (Upward Impending Motion), (ϕs ≥ α).
A &NO + H(
or
Q A &NO + H(
Where:
 W = Load
 r = Mean radius
 ϕ = Angle of friction
 α = Helix angle

Page 7 of 10
Self-Locking Screw. A screw is said to be self-locking if it remains in place under any axial
load W when the moment M is removed.

Case 2: Downward Impending Motion, (α > ϕs).

If the screw is not self-locking, it is necessary to apply a moment M to prevent the screw from
winding downward.

R SGTUV&W − XY (

Case 3: Downward Impending Motion, (ϕs > α).

If a screw is self-locking, a couple moment M must be applied to the screw in the opposite
direction to wind the screw downward

R SGTUV&XY − W(

Page 8 of 10
Tutorial 2.6: The turnbuckle shown in Fig. 1.1 has a square thread with a mean radius of 5
mm and a lead of 2 mm. If the coefficient of static friction between the screw and the turnbuckle
is μs = 0.25, Determine the moment M that must be applied to draw the end screws closer
together.

Solution:
W = 2000 N; μs = 0.25 l=2mm; r = 5 mm
NO ZO 0.25
NO &0.25( 14.046
From,
M
H
2)
M 2
H [ \ [ \ 3.646
2) 2) ? 5

The moment can be obtained by applying Equation of Case 1:

Q A &NO + H(

Since friction at two screws must be overcome, this requires

Q 2 A &NO + H(

M = 2[(2000 N) (5 mm) tan (14.04 + 3.64)]

= 6374.7 [Link] = 6.37 N. m
NOTE: When the moment is removed, the turnbuckle will be self-locking; i.e., it will not
unscrew since (ϕs > α).

Page 9 of 10
Tutorial 2.7: The shaft has a square-
threaded screw with a lead of 8 mm and
a mean radius of 15 mm. If it is in contact
with a plate gear having a mean radius of
30 mm, determine the resisting torque M
on the plate gear which can be overcome
if a torque of 7 N. m is applied to the
shaft. The coefficient of static friction at
the screw is µB = 0.2. Neglect friction of
the bearings located at A and B.

Page 10 of 10