Review Innovations CE Review for November 2023 – Engineering Mechanics 4

FRICTIONAL FORCE

Friction or Frictional Force - The force which opposes the 𝐓𝟐

= 𝐞𝛍𝐬𝛃
movement or the tendency of movement. It is due to the 𝐓𝟏
resistance to motion offered by minutely projecting particles
at the contact surfaces.

Limiting Friction - Limiting value of frictional force when Notes:

the motion is impending. • In the equation, T2 will always be larger than T1.
• β must be in radians and may be larger than 2π.
Static Friction - Friction force when the body remains at rest • If a rope is wrapped around a post n times, β = 2πn
and has a value between zero and the limiting friction.
• If the belt is actually slipping, use µk.

Dynamic friction - The frictional resistance experienced by

PROBLEMS:
the body while moving. Dynamic friction is less than limiting
friction.
Situation 1: Determine the maximum force P that can be
applied without causing movement of the 250-lb crate which
Coefficient of friction - A constant ratio of the magnitude of
has a center of gravity at G. The coefficient of static friction
limiting friction to the normal reaction between two surfaces.
at the floor is µs = 0.4.

a. Coefficient Static of friction, 𝛍𝐬 = 𝐅/𝐍

where:
F = limiting friction
N = normal reaction between the contact surfaces

b. Coefficient of Kinetic friction, 𝛍𝐤 = 𝐅/𝐍

where:
F = dynamic friction
N = normal reaction between the contact surfaces

Angle of friction
Situation 2: If the coefficient of static friction at the contact
points A and B is µs = 0.4, determine the following if the girl
is 75-lb and the plank is 20-lb:

Let F be the frictional force developed and N the normal

reaction. Thus, at contact surface the reactions are F and N.

They can be graphically combined to get the reaction R

1. Reaction at A
which acts at angle θ to the normal reaction.
2. Reaction at B
3. minimum distance d can a girl stand on the plank
This angle θ called the angle of friction is given by:
without causing it to slip.
𝐭𝐚𝐧𝚹 = 𝐅/𝐍
Situation 3: The man is trying to push the homogeneous 20-
As P increases, F increases and hence θ also increases. θ can kg ladder AB up a wall by applying the horizontal force P.
reach the maximum value α when F reaches limiting value. The coefficient of static friction between the ladder and both
At this stage, contact surfaces is 0.3.

𝐭𝐚𝐧𝛂 = 𝐅/𝐍 = 𝛍 1. Determine the smallest value of P that would move the
ladder.
This value of α is called Angle of Limiting Friction. 2. Determine the reaction at A.
3. Determine the reaction at B.

Belt Friction
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 Review Innovations CE Review for November 2023 – Engineering Mechanics 4
2. Compute the T for impending tipping.
3. Compute the maximum tension that can be applied for
which the log remains at rest.
4. Compute the normal reaction between the log and the
plane.
5. Compute the location of normal reaction from A.

Situation 3: As shown in the figure block D is used to

support the 100-kg uniform pole ABC in the position shown.

Situation 4: Calculate the pull P that must be exerted to

slowly lower the mass m=102 kg down the incline plane
considering the following cases.

1. The friction between the drum and the rope is negligible 1. Find the normal force at point B.
while the coefficient of friction between the mass and the 2. Find the frictional force at point B.
inclined surface is 0.25. 3. Calculate the weight of the lightest block D than can be
2. The coefficient of friction at all surfaces of contact is 0.25. used to support the pole against impending sliding.
3. The maximum pull P required to start raising the mass 4. Calculate the weight of the lightest block D than can be
up the incline considering the situation of part 2. used to support the pole against impending tipping.
5. Calculate the weight of the lightest block D than can be
PROBLEMS FOR PRACTICE:
used to support the pole.
Situation 1: The crate has a mass of 50 kg. µs = 0.25 µk = 0.20
Situation 4: The uniform 50 kg plank in the figure is resting
on rough surfaces A and B. The coefficients of static friction
are shown in the figure. If an 80 kg man starts walking from
A towards B. Compute the:

1. Determine the minimum horizontal force P required to

hold the crate from sliding down the plane.
2. Determine the minimum force P required to push the
crate up the plane.
1. reaction at A.
3. Determine the minimum force P required to keep it
2. reaction at B.
moving up the plane.
3. distance x when the plank will start to slide.
Situation 2: The winch in the figure is used to move the 150-
Situation 5: A 6-m long ladder weighing 600 N is shown. It
kg uniform log AB. The coefficient of static friction between
is required to determine the horizontal force P applied at C
the log and the plane is 0.40.
to hold the ladder from sliding. The coefficient of friction
between the ladder and the contact surfaces at A and B is
0.20.

1. Determine the reaction at A.

2. Determine the reaction at B.
3. Determine the required force P.

1. Compute the tension T for impending sliding.

Manila FB: @ReviewInnovationsOfficial Davao FB: Review Innovations Davao Branch
( (02) 8735-9161 0919-227-9194 ( (082) 221-1121 0930-256-0998
 Review Innovations CE Review for November 2023 – Engineering Mechanics 4

Situation 6: Determine the smallest horizontal force P

required to lift the 200-kg crate. The coefficient of static
friction at all contacting surfaces is µs = 0.30. Neglect the mass
of the wedge.

.
Situation 7: A cylinder having a mass of 250 kg is to be
supported by the cord which wraps over the pipe. If µs = 0.2,
determine the largest vertical force F that can be applied to
the cord without moving the cylinder. The cord passes:

1. once over the pipe β = 1800

2. two times over the pipe, β = 540°.

Answer Key for Problems for Practice:

1. P = 140.31 N, P = 474.27 N, P = 431.07 N

2. T = 695.41 N, T = 849.57 N, T = 695.41 N, N = 869.26 N, x
= 0.617 m
3. NB = 441.45 N, fB = 88.29 N, 1,165.4 N, 1,730.5 N, 1,730.5
N
4. RA = 707.76 N, RB = 597.63 N, x = 2.14 m
5. RA = 519.97 N, RB = 459.60 N, P = 348.70 N
6. P = 1,978.37 N
7. F = 4,597.10 N, F = 16,152.32 N

Manila FB: @ReviewInnovationsOfficial Davao FB: Review Innovations Davao Branch

( (02) 8735-9161 0919-227-9194 ( (082) 221-1121 0930-256-0998