Statics of Rigid Bodies

Unit V. Friction
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Friction is the contact resistance by one body when the second body moves
or tends to move past the first body. Friction force always acts opposite to the motion
or to the tendency to move.
In this unit, you will learn to identify and determine the types of friction and frictional
force applied from the object to surface.

Target Learning Outcomes (based on CMO):

LO2 – Apply principles of static equilibrium from the knowledge of resultants of
forces and moments;
LO3 – Relate the course to other engineering situations that involve the concepts of
forces and moments of forces;
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Lesson 1: Characteristics of Friction

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:

1. identify the characteristics of friction

2. apply the frictional force analysis on wedge, screws and belt –
friction; and
3. determine the equilibrium forces involving friction.

a. 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
will deal only with dry friction.
b. Fluid friction occurs when layers of two viscous fluids moves at different
velocities. The relative velocity between layers causes frictional forces between
fluid elements, thus, no fluid friction occurs when there is no relative velocity.
c. Skin friction also called friction drag is a component of the force resisting the
motion of a solid body through a fluid.
d. Internal friction is associated with shear deformation of the solid materials
subjected to cyclical loading. As deformation undergo during loading, internal
friction may accompany this deformation.
W
W

P
Ø
θ N
F R
Ø
Note: Perfectly smooth contact surfaces friction can
R be neglected.
N
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 Statics of Rigid Bodies

Elements of Dry Friction

N = normal force
Ø = angle of friction
𝜇 = coefficient of friction
𝜇𝑠 = coefficient of static friction
𝜇𝑘 = coefficient of kinetic friction
R = frictional resistance or
Approximate values of Coefficient of
reaction Static Friction for Dry Surfaces
F = frictional force Metal on metal 0.15 – 0.60
Metal on wood 0.20 – 0.60
𝑭 = 𝝁𝑵 Metal on stone 0.30 – 0.70
𝑭 Metal on leather 0.30 – 0.60
𝝁= Wood on wood 0.25 – 0.50
𝑵
𝑭 Wood on leather 0.25 – 0.50
𝒕𝒂𝒏∅ = Stone on stone 0.40 – 0.70
𝑵
𝒕𝒂𝒏∅ = 𝝁 Earth on earth 0.20 – 1.00
Rubber on concrete 0.60 – 0.90
Lifted from Vector Mechanics for Engineers Statics Book

The impending motion refers to the state of a body when it is on the verge of slipping.
In such cases, the static friction has reached its upper limit and is given by the equation
𝐹 = 𝜇𝑠 𝑁.
The direction of the frictional force is always opposite to the pending relative motion
of the surfaces. If the applied force (P) increases then the frictional force (F) also increases,
until F<FS(limiting static frictional force). When F = FS, then the body possesses an unstable
equilibrium and will move.
There are three regions of static to motion transition:
No Motion – It is the region up till the point of slippage or impending motion. The
frictional force in this region is defined by the equations of equilibrium as the
system is in equilibrium. When the motion is not impending, F<Fmax.
Impending Motion – It is the moment when the body is on the verge of slipping.
Here, the static friction reaches its upper limit. For a given pair of surfaces in
contact, the frictional force is given by the equation 𝐹 = 𝐹𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝜇𝑠 𝑁
Motion – In this state, the body starts to move in the direction of the applied force.
Here, the frictional force drops to a lower value known as the kinetic friction. The
frictional force is given by the equation 𝐹 = 𝐹𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝜇𝑘 𝑁

Lesson 2: Application on Analysis of Wedge,

Screws and Belt – friction
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.

Example
1. Determine the minimum weight of block B that will keep it at rest while a
force P starts blocks A up the incline surface of B. The weight of A is 150
lb and the angle of friction for all surfaces in contact is 15°.

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 Statics of Rigid Bodies

Solution: 150 lb
From the FBD of block A
∑ 𝐹𝑣 = 0 P A
𝑅1 𝑐𝑜𝑠45° = 150; 𝑅1 = 212.13 𝑙𝑏

30° 15°
R1

WB
From the FBD of block B R1
30°
∑ 𝐹𝐻 = 0 15°
𝑅2 sin 15 ° = 𝑅1 sin 45°
𝑅2 sin 15 ° = 212.13 sin 45° ; 𝑅2 30°
= 579.55 𝑙𝑏 B
∑ 𝐹𝑣 = 0
𝑊𝐵 + 𝑅1 cos 45° = 𝑅2 cos 15 °
𝑊𝐵 + 212.13 cos 45° = 579.55 cos 15 ° 15°
𝑾𝑩 = 𝟒𝟎𝟗. 𝟖𝟎 𝒍𝒃 R2

Square-threaded screws are used to move heavy loads. They represent an

inclined plane, wrapped around a cylinder. The moment needed to turn a screw
depends upon the coefficient of friction and the screw’s lead angle u. If the coefficient
of friction between
the surfaces is large
enough, then the
screw will support
the load without
tending to turn, i.e., it
will be self-locking.

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 Statics of Rigid Bodies

Example
2. The turnbuckle shown in the figure has a square thread with a mean radius of
5mm and a lead of 2mm. 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:
Since friction at two screws must be overcome, this requires
𝑀 = 2[𝑟𝑊𝑡𝑎𝑛(𝜃 + ∅𝑠 ]
𝑊 = 2000𝑁, ∅𝑠 = tan−1 𝜇𝑠 = tan−1 (0.25) = 14.04°
2𝑚𝑚
𝑟 = 5 𝑚𝑚, 𝜃 = tan−1 (𝑙/2𝜋𝑟) = tan−1 ([2𝜋(5𝑚𝑚)]) = 3.64°

Substitute values of unknown to equation

𝑴 = 2[5𝑚𝑚(2000)𝑡𝑎𝑛(14.04° + 3.64°] = 6374.7𝑁. 𝑚𝑚 = 𝟔. 𝟑𝟕𝑵. 𝒎

NOTE: When the moment is removed , the turnbuckle will be self-

locking; i.e., it will not unscrew since ∅𝑠 > 𝜃.

Belt Friction
The force needed to move a flat belt over a rough curved surface depends only on the
angle of belt contact, b, and the coefficient of friction.

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 Statics of Rigid Bodies

• Separate variables and integrate from θ = 0 to θ = β

𝑇2 𝑇2
ln = 𝜇𝑠 𝛽 𝑜𝑟 = 𝑒 𝜇𝑠 𝛽
𝑇1 𝑇1

Example
3. A flat belt connects pulley A to pulley B. The coefficient 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 550 N, determine
the largest torque which can be exerted by the belt on pulley A.

Solution:
Based on pulley B
𝑇2
= 𝑒 𝜇𝑠 𝛽
𝑇1
2𝜋
550
𝑇1
= 𝑒 0.25( 3 )

550
= 1.688
𝑇1
550
𝑇1 =
1.688
𝑇1 = 325.8 𝑁
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 Statics of Rigid Bodies

At pulley A

∑ 𝑀𝐴 = 0
𝑀𝐴 − (550 𝑁)(0.20𝑚) + (325.8 𝑁)(0.20𝑚) = 0
𝑴𝑨 = 𝟒𝟒. 𝟖𝟒 𝑵. 𝒎

Lesson 3: Equilibrium Forces involving Friction

Example
4. A 100 N force acts as shown in the figure on a 300 N block placed on an
inclined plane. The coefficient of friction between the block and the plane
are 𝜇𝑠 = 0.30 and 𝜇𝑘 = 0.25. Determine whether the block is in equilibrium
and find the value of the friction force.

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 Statics of Rigid Bodies

Solution:

3
∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0; 100 − (300) − 𝐹 = 0
5

𝑭 = −𝟖𝟎 𝑵

4
∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0; 𝑁− (300) = 0
5

𝑵 = 𝟐𝟒𝟎 𝑵

𝐹𝑚 = 𝜇𝑠 𝑁; 𝐹𝑚 = 0.30(240) = 𝟕𝟐𝑵

The block will slide down the plane

𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 = 𝐹𝑘 = 𝜇𝑘 𝑁

𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 = 0.25(240)

𝑭𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒍 = 𝟔𝟎 𝑵

Assessment 5

Name: ________________________________ Course, Year & Section: ________

Student Number: _____________________
Instruction: Read and analyze the following problems. Do not write anything in the
learning material. You may use a separate sheet of A4 bond paper for your
answers/solutions.

1. The movable bracket shown in the figure may

be placed at any height on the 3 cm diameter
pipe. If the coefficient of friction between the
pipe and bracket is 0.20, determine the
minimum distance x at which the load can be
supported. Neglect the weight of the bracket.

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 Statics of Rigid Bodies

2. It is observed that when the bed of the dump truck is raised to an angle of θ =
25° the vending machines with the width of 3.0 ft and the center of gravity of
2.5 ft from the dump
truck will begin to
slide off the bed
shown in the figure.
Determine the static
coefficient of friction
between a vending
machine and the
surface of the
truckbed.

3. The uniform stone has a mass of 550 kg and is held in the horizontal position using a
wedge at B. If the coefficient of static friction is 𝜇𝑠 = 0.30 at the surfaces of contact,
determine the mini mum force P needed to remove the wedge. Assume that the stone
does not slip at A.

4. The maximum tension that can be developed in the cord shown below is 450 N. If the
pulley at A is free
to rotate and the
coefficient of static
friction at the fixed
drums B and C is
𝜇𝑠 = 0.25,
determine the
largest mass of
the cylinder that
can be lifted by
the cord.

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 Statics of Rigid Bodies

References

Beer, Ferdinand P. [Link]. 2012. Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics, Tenth
Edition SI Units. McGrawHill

Hibbeler, R.C. 2013. Engineering Mechanics: Statics, Thirteenth Edition.

Pearson Prentice Hall, New Jersey

Hughes, J.H. & Martin, K. F. 1977. Basic Engineering Mechanics. Macmillan

Publishers

Kassimali, Aslam. 2020. Structural Analysis, Sixth Edition SI Edition. Cengage

Learning. USA

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