Understanding Friction in Engineering Mechanics
Understanding Friction in Engineering Mechanics
Friction in Action
What is friction?
n Friction is a retarding force that opposes
motion.
n Friction types:
q Static friction Dry or
Coulombic
q Kinetic friction friction
q Fluid friction
n Sources of dry friction
q Asperities between contacting surfaces
q Interactions at the atomic level
n Tribology studies sources of friction,
lubrication, wear and tear etc.
Coefficient of Friction
n At impending motion:
F = µN
This is the maximum force for a given N.
n μ is coefficient of friction.
q for impending relative motion μ = μs
q for actual relative motion μ = μk
q µk < µs
The Laws of Dry Friction. Coefficients of
Friction
• Maximum static-friction force:
F m= μ s N
• Kinetic-friction force:
F k = μk N
Angles of Friction
• It is sometimes convenient to replace normal force N and friction
force F by their resultant R:
Angles of Friction
• Consider block of weight W resting on board with variable inclination
angle θ.
• All applied forces known • All applied forces known • Coefficient of static
friction is known
• Coefficient of static friction • Motion is impending
is known • Motion is impending
• Determine value of coefficient
• Determine whether body of static friction. • Determine magnitude or
will remain at rest or slide direction of one of the
applied forces
∑ Fy = 0 : N − 45 (300 N ) = 0
What does the sign
N = 240 N
tell you about the
assumed direction of • Calculate maximum friction force and compare
impending motion? with friction force required for equilibrium.
Fm = µ s N = 0.25(240 N ) = 60 N
What does this solution imply about the block?
Factual = Fk = µ k N
= 0.20(240 N )
Factual = 48 N
162 mm
288 mm
350 kg
16
144 mm
Problem 2
A woman pedals her bicycle up a 5-percent grade and a slippery road
at a steady speed. The woman and bicycle have a combined mass of 82
kg. with mass center at G. If the rear wheel is on the verge of slipping,
determine the coefficient of friction µs between the rear tire and the
road. If the coefficient of friction is doubled, what would be the friction
force acting on the rear wheel? (why may we neglect friction under the
front wheel)
Problem 3
n The light bar is used to support the 50-kg block in its vertical
guides. If the coefficient of static friction is 0.3 at the upper
end of the bar and 0.4 at the lower end of the bar, find the
friction force acting on each end for x = 75mm. Also find the
maximum value of x for which the bar will not slip.
Stone Crusher Problem
Two large cylinders, each of radius r = 500 mm rotate in opposite
directions and form the main elements of a crusher for stone aggregates.
The distance d is set equal to the maximum desired size of the crushed
aggregate. If d = 20 mm, µs = 0.3, determine the size of the largest stones
which will be pulled through the crusher by friction alone. Assume the
stone to be symmetrically placed on both wheels, and that the weight of
the stone is negligible compared to the contact forces.
s
r r
22
Stone Crusher Problem - Solution
N
F
F
W
F
N
N
FBD of Aggregate
From FBD of aggregate it can be seen that the aggregate will pass
through the crusher cylinders due to its self weight and the friction forces
from the two cylinders.
Since the aggregate passes through the crusher due to friction alone, it
implies that the self weight of the aggregate is neglected in this case.
Thus the aggregate reduces to a two-force body subjected to reaction
forces from the cylinders at two points only and along the same line.
23
Stone Crusher Problem - Solution
θ N
R
R
R
F
FBD of Aggregate
r = 500 mm
d = 20 mm
FBD of Crusher Cylinder
µs = 0.3
The aggregate and cylinder will be at the point of slipping when the
maximum size aggregate passes.
F
∴ tan θ = = µ s
N
⇒ θ = tan −1 µ s
θ = 16.7 ! 24
Stone Crusher Problem - Solution
S/2
θ
r = 500 mm
r
+
d/2
d = 20 mm
µs = 0.3
Centerline
of
Crusher
Cylinders
θ = 16.7 !
From the arrangement of the crusher and the maximum aggregate
d s
r + = r cos θ +
2 2
s = d + 2r (1 − cos θ )
s = 62.2 mm
25
Problem Type 2
n Number of equations is less than number of
unknowns.
n Motion of the body is impending.
n You are asked to obtain:
q Force/Torque required to start the impending
motion.
q Some distance, angle etc. for the impending
motion.
n Need to use the law of friction at
impending surface.
n Careful about the sign of forces.
Problem 4
n The coefficients of friction are µs = 0.4 and µk = 0.3 between all
surfaces of contact. Determine the force P for which motion of the
30-kg block is impending if cable AB (a) is attached as shown, (b)
is removed. Assume that the cord is inextensible and the pulleys
are well oiled.
Problem 40
The moveable bracket shown may be placed at any height on the 30
mm diameter pipe. If the coefficient of friction between the pipe and
bracket is 0.25, determine the minimum distance x at which the load
can be supported. Neglect the weight of the bracket.
29
Problem 40 - Solution
N A = NB
W = FA + FB Given- Diameter of the pipe=30mm;
Height of the bracket=60mm.
q Inspection
q Physical intuition.
A B
C
Metal Panel Problem – Two cases
NA NB NA NB
FA FB FA
FB
θ P P
θ
FBD – Case (i) FBD – Case (ii)
Small angle Large angle
There will two possible situations of loads acting on the panel as shown
in the FBDs above:
34
Problem 4b
n For the previous problem 4a, assuming that the cord is attached at point E
at a distance x = 0.1 m from the corner C. (b) Determine the largest value of
x for which the panel can be moved to the right.
x
Problem 5
n A block of mass mo is placed
between the vertical wall and the
small ideal roller at the upper end A
of the uniform slender bar of mass
m. The lower end B of the bar rests
on the horizontal surface. If the
coefficient of static friction is μs at
B and also between the block and
the wall, determine a general
expression for the minimum value
θmin of θ for which the block will
remain in equilibrium. Evaluate the
expression for μs = 0.5 and m/mo =
10. For these conditions, check for
possible slipping at B.
Problem 6
n The 12-lb slender rod AB is pinned at A and rests on the 36-lb
cylinder C. Knowing that the diameter of the cylinder is 12.5 in. and
that the coefficient of static friction is 0.35 between all surfaces of
contact, determine the largest magnitude of the force P for which
equilibrium is maintained
Problem 9
8 - 61
Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
in SI Units
Tenth Edition
2 R23 − R13
= µk P 2
3
R2 − R12
Belt Friction
• Relate T1 and T2 when belt is about to slide to right.
• Draw free-body diagram for element of belt
Δθ Δθ
∑ Fx = 0 : (T + ΔT )cos − T cos − µ s ΔN = 0
2 2
Δθ Δθ
∑ Fy = 0 : ΔN − (T + ΔT )sin − T sin = 0
2 2
• Combine to eliminate ΔN, divide through by Δθ,
ΔT Δθ ⎛ ΔT ⎞ sin (Δθ 2)
cos − µ s ⎜ T + ⎟ =0
Δθ 2 ⎝ 2 ⎠ Δθ 2
• In the limit as Δθ goes to zero,
dT dT
− µ sT = 0 = µ s dθ
dθ T
• Separate variables and integrate from θ = 0 to θ = β
T T
ln 2 = µ s β or 2 = e µ s β
T1 T1
© 2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 8 - 65
Belt
FricFon
ApplicaFon
capstan
Diesel engine
motor belt
Band Brake
66
Problem 46
n A pulley requires 200 Nm torque to get it rotating in the direction as
shown. The angle of wrap is π radians, and µs = 0.25. What is the
minimum horizontal force F required to create enough tension in
the belt so that it can rotate the pulley?
T2
250 mm
T1
67
Problem 46 - Solution
T2
T1
For torque T = 200 Nm in given direction, T2 > T1
Equating moments acting on the pulley we get:
(T2-T1)*0.25m = 200Nm (i)
Considering friction in the pulley the forces T1 and T2 can be correlated as:
T2 µ β
=e s (ii)
T1
Combining T2 from eqn. (ii) in eqn. (i) we get:
(e µs β
)
− 1 T1 = 800 N 68
Problem 46 - Solution
T2
T1
⎛ e µs β − 1⎞T = 800 N
⎜ ⎟ 1
⎝ ⎠
Putting µs = 0.25 and β = π radians in the above equation we get
1.193 T1 = 800N
∴ T1 = 670.6 N
T2 = e µ s β T1 = 2.193 × 670.6 N = 1470.6 N
Equating forces acting on the pulley we get:
F = T1+T2
F = 2141N
69
Problem 47
A flat belt connects pulley A to pulley B. The coefficients of friction
are µs = 0.25 and µk = 0.20 between both pulleys and the belt. Knowing
that the maximum allowable tension in the belt is 600 N, determine the
largest torque which can be exerted by the belt on pulley A.
70
Problem 47 - Solution
T1
T2 = 600 N T1 = 355.4 N
T2 = 600 N
T2 T2 ≤T1 e
µs β
; for a given T1
T1 ≥ µs β
; for a given T2
e
72
Problem 48 - Solution
T=100N
µ1=0.25 (between rope & horizontal pipe)
µ2=0.20 (between rope &vertical pipe)
N
Consider the sections of the rope as shown. Due to the friction, the tension in each
part is different.
P will be max if there is impending slip in the direction of P (i.e. P>T2>T1>T).
P will be min if there is impending slip in the direction of T (i.e. P<T2<T1<T).
Problem 48 - Solution
T=100N P = Pmax : P>T2>T1>T
P = Pmin : P<T2<T1<T
µ1=0.25 (between rope & horizontal pipe)
µ2=0.20 (between rope &vertical pipe)
76
Problem 49 - Solution
m=500kg,
µ=0.1. So,
T1=Mg=500*9.81=4905N
Consider the sections of the rope as shown. Due to the friction, the tension in each part
is different.
T will be max if there is impending slip in the direction of T (i.e. T>T3>T2>T1).
T will be min if there is impending slip in the direction opposite to T (i.e. T<T3<T2<T1).
For the values of T greater than min and lesser than max, it can maintain the load.
Problem 49 - Solution
Tmin = 181.15 N
m=500kg,
µ=0.1. So,
When T = Tmax (T > T3 > T2 > T1 ) T1=Mg=500*9.81=4905N
⎛ π ⎞ T = Tmax: (T>T3>T2>T1)
T2 = T1e µβ1
⎜ β1 = ⎟ T = Tmin: (T<T3<T2<T1)
⎝ 2 ⎠
T3 = T2 e µβ 2 ⇒ T3 = T1e µβ1 + µβ 2 (β 2 = 3 × 2π )
T = T3e µβ3 ⇒ T = T1e µβ1 + µβ 2 + µβ3 (β 3 = 2 × 2π )
Putting the values of T1 , µ ' s and β ' s, we get
Tmax = 132.8kN
∴Mass M is balanced when181.2 N ≤ T ≤ 132.8kN
Extra Problem
The seaman pulls with 100 N force and wants to stop the motor boat
from moving away from the dock. How many wraps he must make
around the post if the motor boat develops a thrust of 3500 N. (µs= 0.2
between rope and the post)
80
Extra Problem - Solution
T1
=
100
N
T2 = 3500 N
Considering friction in the pulley the forces T1 and T2 can be correlated as:
T2 µs β
=e
T1
1 ⎛ T2 ⎞
β= ln⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = 17.78
µs ⎝ T1 ⎠
But β = 2nπ
where n = number of wraps of the rope around the post
From above n = 2.8
Therefore 3 wraps of the rope is necessary to restrain the motor boat 81