ENGINEERING MECHANICS

(MEE11002)

Mechanics is the area of mathematics and physics concerned with the relationships between force, matter, and motion among
physical objects

Dr. Tirupataiah Kasani, Assistant Professor

Department of Mechanical Engineering, SOET
ADAMAS UNIVERSITY
Syllabus (3-0-0)
Introduction to dry and wet friction
Dry friction is the force of friction between two solid surfaces in contact Wet friction is the force of friction
between a solid surface and a liquid surface.
✓ Dry friction is the force that opposes one solid surface sliding
across another solid surface.
✓ Dry friction always opposes the surfaces sliding relative to
one another, and it can have the effect of either opposing
motion or causing motion in bodies.

➢ If there is a wet surface between two thin glass plates, you will
notice that plates get stuck and the bottom plate doesn't fall
when you hold only the top one.
➢ When any object is dropped in a fluid, the extent of the splash
depends on the fluid friction of that particular fluid.
Friction
Definition
When a body moves or tends to move over another body, a force opposing the motion develops at the contact
surfaces. This force which opposes the movement or the tendency of movement is called frictional force or
simply Friction.
➢ Friction is due to the minutely projecting particles at the contact surfaces.
✓ Frictional force has a remarkable property of adjusting itself ✓ Limiting friction: The frictional force
in magnitude to the force producing or tending to produce the when the motion is impending
motion so that the motion is prevented.
Friction
Dynamic friction is classified into
• Rolling friction: Friction experienced by a body when it slides over another body
• Sliding friction: Friction experienced by the body when it rolls over another body

Co-efficient of friction (μ): The magnitude of limiting friction bears a constant ratio to the
normal reaction between the two surfaces
F Typical values of static friction coefficients (μs)
Coefficient of friction(μ) =
N
 Coulomb’s laws of Friction/(Laws of dry friction/ laws of solid friction)
➢ The force of friction always acts in a direction opposite to that in which the body tends to move.

➢ Till the limiting value is reached, the magnitude of friction is exactly equal to the force which tends to move the
body.

➢ The magnitude of limiting friction bears a constant ratio to the normal reaction between the two surfaces of
contact and this ratio is called the coefficient of friction.

➢ The force of friction depends upon the roughness/smoothness of the surfaces

➢ The force of friction is independent of the area of contact between the two surfaces.

➢ After the body starts moving, the dynamic friction comes into play, the magnitude of which is less than that of
limiting friction and it bears a constant ratio with normal force. This ratio is called co-efficient of dynamic friction.

➢ The amount of the relative surface velocity has no effect on the kinetic friction exerted between the contact
surfaces of two dry objects. Velocity has no effect on the kinetic friction
Angle of Friction (ɵ) Definition
The angle between the resultant reaction and the normal to
the plane on which the motion of the body is impending is
called the Angle of limiting friction (α).

Cone of friction
Definition
An inverted cone with a semi-central angle α equal to the
Angle of limiting friction (α) is called a cone of friction

As frictional force increases the angle θ increases and it can

reach maximum value α when the limiting value of friction is
α
reached. Thus, when motion is impending

α is called the angle of limiting friction.

 Angle of repose (ϕ)
F

Definition
The maximum inclination
of the plane on which a
body, free from external
forces, can repose is called
the angle of repose (ϕ).
Problem
Determine the range of values which the mass m0 may have so that the 100-kg block shown in the figure will
neither start moving up the plane nor slip down the plane. The coefficient of static friction for the contact
surfaces is 0.30. (Take g = 9.81 m/s2) Solution
Problem
Determine the magnitude and direction of the friction force acting on the 100-kg block shown if, first, P=500 N
and, second, P=100 N. The coefficient of static friction is 0.20, and the coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.17.
The forces are applied with the block initially at rest.

Solution

Case -1 P=500 N Case -2 P=100 N

F = -134.3 N F = 242 N
N = 1093 N N = 956 N

Equilibrium exists and F is Equilibrium does not exist

down the plane and the body is in motion
Problem
The homogeneous rectangular block of mass m, width b, and height H is placed on the horizontal surface and
subjected to a horizontal force P which moves the block along the surface with a constant velocity. The
coefficient of kinetic friction between the block and the surface is k. Determine (a) the greatest value which h
may have so that the block will slide without tipping over and (b) the location of a point C on the bottom face
of the block through which the resultant of the friction and normal forces acts if h H/2.
Solution
Problem
For the blocks shown in Fig. Find the value of pull ‘P’. The coefficient of friction between blocks is 0.24 and
the same between block and floor is 0.3.

Solution:
Problem
The three flat blocks are positioned on the 300 incline as shown, and a force P parallel to the incline is applied
to the middle block. The upper block is prevented from moving by a wire which attaches it to the fixed
support. The coefficient of static friction for each of the three pairs of mating surfaces is shown. Determine the
maximum value which P may have before any slipping takes place.
Solution
Ladder friction
Definition
Ladder friction: A ladder placed against a vertical wall and horizontal floor experiences friction at two contact
points, one with the wall and the other with the floor.

A uniform ladder with mass m2 and length L rests against a smooth

wall. An enthusiast of mass m1 stands on the ladder at a distance d from
the bottom (measured along the ladder). The ladder makes an angle θ
with the ground. There is no friction between the wall and the ladder,
but there is a frictional force of magnitude f between the floor and the
ladder. N1 is the magnitude of the normal force exerted by the wall on
the ladder, and N2 is the magnitude of the normal force exerted by the
ground on the ladder.
Problem
A ladder of weight 1000 N and length 4m rests as shown in Fig. If a 750 N weight is acting a distance of 3m
from the bottom of the ladder, it is at the point of sliding. Determine the coefficient of friction between the
ladder and the floor. Assume the coefficient of friction is the same for all the contacting surfaces.
Solution:
Problem
A ladder 6 m long has a mass of 18 kg and its center of gravity is 2.4 m from the bottom. The ladder is placed
against a vertical wall so that it makes an angle of 60° with the ground. How far up the ladder can a 72-kg man
climb before the ladder is on the verge of slipping? The angle of friction at all contact surfaces is 15°.
Solution:
Applications of friction in machines
Wedge friction
A wedge is one of the simplest and most useful machines. A wedge is used to produce
small adjustments in the position of a body or to apply large forces. Wedges largely
depend on friction to function.
✓ Wedges are small pieces of material with two of their opposite surfaces not parallel.
✓ Use: Wedges are used to slightly lift heavy blocks, machinery, precast beams…etc.
Forces to raise the load
Forces to lower the load
Problem
Determine the value of P just sufficient to start the 10° wedge under the 40-kN block shown in Fig. The angle
of friction is 20° for all contact surfaces.
Solution:
 Problem
The horizontal position of the 500-kg rectangular block of concrete is adjusted by the 50 wedge under the
action of the force P. If the coefficient of static friction for both wedge surfaces is 0.30 and if the coefficient of
static friction between the block and the horizontal surface is 0.60, determine the least force P required to
move the block. Solution: Graphical method

Solution: Algebraic method

The angle between R2 and the a-direction
The angle between R2 and the b-direction is 900 - (2ϕ1+ 50) = 51.60,
is 16.700 + 31.00 = 47.70
and the angle between P and the b-direction is ϕ1+50 = 21.70
Assignment problems
Textbook: S. S. Bhavikatti, K. G. Rajashekarappa - Engineering Mechanics-New Age International (1994)

1. Page no_113: Problem Example 5.2

2. Page no_116: Problem Example 5.5
3. Page no_117: Problem Example 5.6
4. Page no_120: Problem Example 5.8
5. Page no_122: Problem Example 5.10
6. Page no_124: Problem Example 5.11
7. Page no_125: Problem Example 5.12
8. Page no_134: Problem 5.12