Friction
BES-SRB & EMECH
Friction
is a force that resists the movement of two contacting surfaces that slide relative to one another.
This force always acts tangent to the surface at the points of contact and is directed so as to oppose
the possible or existing motion between the surfaces.
In statics, we often deal with dry friction (no lubrication) between rigid bodies.
Theory of Dry Friction.
The theory of dry friction can be explained by considering the effects caused by pulling
horizontally on a block of uniform weight W which is resting on a rough horizontal surface that is
nonrigid or deformable. The floor exerts an uneven distribution of both normal force ∆𝑁𝑛 and
frictional force ∆𝐹𝑛 along the contacting surface.
For equilibrium, the normal forces must act upward to balance the block’s weight W, and the
frictional forces act to the left to prevent the applied force P from moving the block to the right.
It can be seen that many microscopic irregularities exist between the two surfaces and, as a result,
reactive forces ∆𝑅𝑛 are developed at each point of contact. Each reactive force contributes both a
frictional component ∆𝐹𝑛 and a normal component ∆𝑁𝑛 .
Equilibrium.
The effect of the distributed normal and frictional loadings is indicated by their resultants N and
F on the free-body diagram. Notice that N acts a distance x to the right of the line of action of W.
This location, which coincides with the centroid or geometric center of the normal force
distribution, is necessary in order to balance the “tipping effect” caused by P.
Impending Motion
In cases where the surfaces of contact are rather “slippery,” the frictional force F may not be great
enough to balance P, and consequently the block will tend to slip.
In other words, as P is slowly increased, F correspondingly increases until it attains a certain
maximum value Fs, called the limiting static frictional force.
When this value is reached, the block is in unstable equilibrium since any further increase in P
will cause the block to move.
where the constant of proportionality, 𝜇𝑠 (mu “sub” s), is called the coefficient of static friction.
Thus, when the block is on the verge of sliding, the normal force N and frictional force 𝑭𝒔 combine
to create a resultant 𝑹𝒔 . The angle ∅𝒔 (phi “sub” s) that 𝑹𝒔 makes with N is called the angle of
static friction. From the figure,
Motion
If the magnitude of P acting on the
block is increased so that it becomes
slightly greater than 𝑭𝒔 , the frictional
force at the contacting surface will drop
to a smaller value 𝑭𝒌 , called the kinetic
frictional force.
Here the constant of proportionality, ∅𝒌 , is called the coefficient of kinetic friction.
In this case, the resultant force at the surface of contact, 𝑹𝒌 , has a line of action defined by 𝑭𝒌 .
This angle is referred to as the angle of kinetic friction, where
Example Problems:
1. The uniform crate shown in Fig. 8–7a has a mass of 20 kg. If a force P = 80 N is applied to the
crate, determine if it remains in equilibrium. The coefficient of static friction is 𝜇𝑠 = 0.3.
2. It is observed that when the bed of the dump truck is raised to an angle of 𝜃 = 25° the vending
machines will begin to slide off the bed, Fig. 8–8a. Determine the static coefficient of friction
between a vending machine and the surface of the truck bed.
Ans:
3. The uniform 10-kg ladder in Fig. 8–9a rests against the smooth wall at B, and the end A rests on
the rough horizontal plane for which the coefficient of static friction is 𝜇𝑠 = 0.3. Determine the
angle of inclination 𝜃 of the ladder and the normal reaction at B if the ladder is on the verge of
slipping.
Ans:
Beam AB is subjected to a uniform load of 200 N/m and is supported at B by post BC, Fig. 8–10a.
If the coefficients of static friction at B and C are 𝜇𝐵 = 0.2 and 𝜇𝐶 = 0.5, determine the force P
needed to pull the post out from under the beam. Neglect the weight of the members and the
thickness of the beam.
Ans: