Friction is the contact resistance exerted by one body when the second body moves or tends to

move past the first body. Friction is a retarding force that always acts opposite to the motion or to the
tendency to move.

Types of Friction
Dry Friction
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 calledlubricated friction. This section will deal only with dry friction.

Fluid Friction
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.

Skin friction
Skin friction also called friction drag is a component of the force resisting the motion of a solid body
through a fluid.

Internal Friction
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.

Elements of Dry Friction

= Total reaction perpendicular to the contact surface
= Friction force
= Coefficient of friction
= Resultant of f and N
= angle of friction
Formulas for dry friction

Consider the block shown to the right that weighs . It is placed

upon a plane that inclined at an angle with the horizontal.

 If the maximum available friction force is less

than thus, the block will slide down the plane.
 If the friction force will just equate to
thus, the block is in impending motion down the plane.
 If the maximum available frictional resistance is
greater than thus, the block is stationary.

We can therefore conclude that the maximum angle that a plane may be inclined without
causing the body to slide down is equal to the angle of friction .

Problem 506
A 400 lb block is resting on a rough horizontal surface for which the coefficient of friction is 0.40.
Determine the force P required to cause motion to impend if applied to the block (a) horizontally or
(b) downward at 30° with the horizontal. (c) What minimum force is required to start motion?

Solution 506
Part (a) - Force is applied horizontally

answer

Part (b) - Downward force at 30° from the horizontal

 answer

Another Solution for Part (b)

okay!
Part (c) - Minimum force required to cause impending motion

To minimize P, differentiate then equate to zero

Minimum value of P

answer
Problem 507
The 2225-N block shown in Fig. P-507 is in contact with 45° incline. The coefficient of static friction is
0.25. Compute the value of the horizontal force P necessary to (a) just start the block up the incline
or (b) just prevent motion down the incline. (c) If P = 1780 N, what is the amount and direction of the
friction force?
Solution 507
Part (a) – Force P to just start the block to move up the incline
The force P is pushing the block up the incline. The push is hard enough to utilize the maximum
allowable friction causing an impending upward motion.

answer

Part (b) – Force P to just prevent the block to slide down the incline
In this case, the force P is not pushing the block upward, it simply support the block not to slide
downward. Therefore, the total force that prevents the block from sliding down the plane is the sum
of the component of P parallel to the incline and the upward friction force.
 answer

Part (c) – Force P = 1780 N

From the result of Part (b), the maximum force to prevent downward motion is 1335 N which is less
than 1780 N. The force P therefore is pushing the block up the incline, thus, friction will act
downward as shown below.

answer
Problem 508
The 200-lb block shown in Fig. P-508 has impending motion up the plane caused by the horizontal
force of 400 lb. Determine the coefficient of static friction between the contact surfaces.
Solution 508

answer
Problem 509
The blocks shown in Fig. P-509 are connected by flexible, inextensible cords passing over
frictionless pulleys. At A the coefficients of friction are μs = 0.30 and μk = 0.20 while at B they are μs =
0.40 and μk = 0.30. Compute the magnitude and direction of the friction force acting on each block.
Solution 509
Neglecting friction

2TA is greater than TB, thus, the system will move to the left if contact surfaces are frictionless.

Considering friction
The angle of static friction at A, φA = arctan 0.30 = 16.70°, is not enough to hold the block from
sliding the incline of angle θ = arctan (3/4) = 36.87° from horizontal. If TB is insufficient to hold
2TA statically the system will move to the left, otherwise, the system is stationary.
Assume the blocks are stationary (use μs)

TB < 2TA. TB is insufficient to hold the system in static equilibrium, thus, the blocks are moving to the
left.

Blocks are moving to the left (Use μk)

answer
answer

Problem 510
What weight W is necessary to start the system of blocks shown in Fig. P-510 moving to the right?
The coefficient of friction is 0.10 and the pulleys are assumed to be frictionless.
Solution 510

answer

Problem 511
Find the least value of P required to cause the system of blocks shown in Fig. P-511 to have
impending motion to the left. The coefficient of friction under each block is 0.20.
Solution 511
From the FBD of 10 kN block on the inclined plane
Sum up forces normal to the incline

Amount of friction

Sum up forces parallel to the incline

From the FBD of 30 kN block on the horizontal plane

Sum up vertical forces
Amount of friction

Sum up horizontal forces

To minimize P, differentiate then equate to zero

Thus,

answer
Problem 512
A homogeneous block of weight W rests upon the incline shown in Fig. P-512. If the coefficient of
friction is 0.30, determine the greatest height h at which a force P parallel to the incline may be
applied so that the block will slide up the incline without tipping over.
Solution 512
Sliding up the incline

Tipping over
 answer

Problem 513
In Fig. P-512, the homogeneous block weighs 300 kg and the coefficient of friction is 0.45. If h = 50
cm, determine the force P to cause motion to impend.

Solution 513
 answer
Problem 514
The 10-kN cylinder shown in Fig. P-514 is held at rest on the 30° incline by a weight P suspended
from a cord wrapped around the cylinder. If slipping impends, determine P and the coefficient of
friction.
Solution 514

answer
 answer
Problem 515
Block A in Fig. P-515 weighs 120 lb, block B weighs 200 lb, and the cord is parallel to the incline. If
the coefficient of friction for all surfaces in contact is 0.25, determine the angle θ of the incline of
which motion of B impends.

Solution 515

answer
Problem 516
Referring to Fig. P-515 if the coefficient of friction is 0.60 and θ = 30°, what force P applied to B
acting down and parallel to the incline will start motion? What is the tension in the cord attached to
A?

Solution 516

answer

answer
Problem 519
In Fig. P-519, two blocks are connected by a solid strut attached to each block with frictionless pins.
If the coefficient of friction under each block is 0.25 and B weighs 2700 N, find the minimum weight
of A to prevent motion.

Solution 519
Sum up forces normal to the incline in block B

Amount of friction for impending motion of block

B

Sum up all forces parallel to the incline in block

B

Summation of vertical forces acting on block A

Amount of friction under block A at impending motion

Summation of horizontal forces on block A

answer

Another Solution for Problem 519

Apply Sine law to force polygon B

Sine law to force triangle A

Problem 520
Referring to Fig. P-519, block A weighs 4 kN and B weighs 3 kN. If μ = 0.20 under B, compute the
minimum coefficient of friction under A to prevent motion.

Solution 520
Summation of forces perpendicular to the
inclined plane in block B
Amount of friction in block B at impending motion

Summation of vertical forces in block A

Summation of horizontal forces in block A

Coefficient of friction at A

answer

Another Solution to Problem 520

Sine law to the force polygon B

Sine law to force polygon A

 answer

Problem 521
In Fig. P-519, if μ = 0.30 under both blocks and A weighs 400 lb, find the maximum weight of B that
can be started up the incline by applying to A a rightward force P of 500 lb.

Solution 521
Sum up vertical forces in block A

Friction force at block A

Sum up horizontal forces in block A

Sum up forces normal to the incline in block B

Amount of friction force under block B

Sum up forces parallel to the inclined plane in block B

answer

Problem 522
The blocks shown in Fig. P-522 are separated by a solid strut which is attached to the blocks with
frictionless pins. If the coefficient of friction for all surfaces is 0.20, determine the value of horizontal
force P to cause motion to impend to the right. Assume that the strut is a uniform rod weighing 300
lb.

Solution 522
Summation of forces normal to the incline in the 200-lb block

Amount of friction under the 200-lb block

Summation of forces parallel to the incline in the 200-lb block

Summation of all vertical forces acting in the 400-lb block

Amount of friction under the 400-lb block

Solving for the required P by summing up horizontal forces in the 400-lb block

answer

Problem 523
A force of 400 lb is applied to the pulley shown in Fig. P-523. The pulley is prevented from rotating
by a force P applied to the end of the brake lever. If the coefficient of friction at the brake surface is
0.20, determine the value of P.

Solution 523
 answer

Problem 524
A horizontal arm having a bushing of 20 mm long is slipped over a 20-mm diameter vertical rod, as
shown inFig. P-524. The coefficient of friction between the bushing and the rod is 0.20. Compute the
minimum length L at which a weight W can be placed to prevent the arm from slipping down the rod.
Neglect the weight of the arm.

Solution 524

Note:
the sum of Δf will pass through point O, thus, f has no moment effect at O.
Amount of friction force

answer

Problem 525
A uniform ladder 4.8 m ft long and weighing W lb is placed with one end on the ground and the other
against a vertical wall. The angle of friction at all contact surfaces is 20°. Find the minimum value of
the angle θ at which the ladder can be inclined with the horizontal before slipping occurs.

Solution 525
Coefficient of friction

Friction forces at each end of the ladder

Thus,
 answer

Another Solution 525

Problem 526
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 526
Coefficient of friction

Amount of friction at contact surfaces

 answer

Problem 527
A homogeneous cylinder 3 m in diameter and weighing 30 kN is resting on two inclined planes as
shown in Fig. P-527. If the angle of friction is 15° for all contact surfaces, compute the magnitude of
the couple required to start the cylinder rotating counterclockwise.

Solution 527
Required couple

answer

Problem 528
Instead of a couple, determine the minimum horizontal force P applied tangentially to the left at the
top of the cylinder described in Prob. 527 to start the cylinder rotating counterclockwise.

Solution 528
 answer
Problem 529
As shown in Fig. P-529, a homogeneous cylinder 2 m in diameter and weighing 12 kN is acted upon
by a vertical force P. Determine the magnitude of P necessary to start the cylinder turning. Assume
that μ = 0.30.

Solution 529
When the cylinder starts to turn due to P, the normal force under horizontal surface is zero. See the
free body diagram below.
 answer
Problem 530
A plank 10 ft long is placed in a horizontal position with its ends resting on two inclined planes, as
shown in Fig. P-530. The angle of friction is 20°. Determine how close the load P can be placed to
each end before slipping impends.

Solution 530
The plank impends to the right
 answer

The plank impends to the left

 answer
Problem 531
A uniform plank of weight W and total length 2L is placed as shown in Fig. P-531 with its ends in
contact with the inclined planes. The angle of friction is 15°. Determine the maximum value of the
angle a at which slipping impends.

Solution 531
The force polygon below is isosceles, thus,
 answer

Problem 532
In Fig. P-532, two blocks each weighing 1.5 kN are connected by a uniform horizontal bar which
weighs 1.0 kN. If the angle of friction is 15° under each block, find P directed parallel to the 45°
incline that will cause impending motion to the left.

Solution 532
Summation of forces on block A normal to the 30° incline

Amount of friction under block A

Summation of forces on block A parallel to the 30° incline

Summation of forces on block B normal to the 45° incline

Amount of friction under block B

Summation of forces on block B parallel to the 45° incline

answer

Another Solution 532

Sum of all vertical forces in black A

Sum of all horizontal forces in block A

Sum of all forces normal to the incline in block B

Sum of all forces parallel to the incline in block B

answer
Problem 533
A uniform bar AB, weighing 424 N, is fastened by a frictionless pin to a block weighing 200 N as
shown in Fig. P-533. At the vertical wall, μ = 0.268 while under the block, μ = 0.20. Determine the
force P needed to start motion to the right.

Solution 533
answer