Chapter 7 : Introduction to Friction Topic 7.

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Learning Outcome
Upon completion of this chapter, the student should be able to understand and apply
the following concepts of friction:

7.1 Laws of Dry Friction

7.1.1 Coefficients of Friction

7.1.2 Angle of Friction

7.2 Analysis of Problems Involving Dry Friction

Chapter 7: Introduction to Friction Topic 7.1 : Laws of Dry Friction Leave blank

7.1 Laws of Dry Friction

•In preceding chapters, it was assumed that surfaces in contact were either frictionless
(surfaces could move freely with respect to each other) or rough (tangential forces prevent
relative motion between surfaces).

•Actually, no perfectly frictionless surface exists. For two surfaces in contact, tangential forces,
called friction forces, will develop if one attempts to move one relative to the other.

•The distinction between frictionless and rough is, therefore, a matter of degree.

•There are two types of friction: dry or Coulomb friction and fluid friction. Fluid friction applies to
lubricated mechanisms. The present discussion is limited to dry friction between non-lubricated
surfaces.
Chapter 7: Introduction to Friction Topic 7.1 : Laws of Dry Friction Leave blank

7.1 Laws of Dry Friction

•Block of weight W placed on horizontal surface. Forces

acting on block are its weight and reaction of surface N.
•Small horizontal force P applied to block. For block to
remain stationary, in equilibrium, a horizontal component
F of the surface reaction is required. F is a static-friction
force.
•As P increases, the static-friction force F increases as
well until it reaches a maximum value Fm.
Fm = µ s N

•Further increase in P causes the block to begin to move

as F drops to a smaller kinetic-friction force Fk.
Fk = µ k N

Laws of Dry Friction

Chapter 7: Introduction to Friction Topic 7.1 : Laws of Dry Friction Leave blank

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Chapter 7: Introduction to Friction Topic 7.1 : Laws of Dry Friction Leave blank

7.1 Laws of Dry Friction

•Maximum static-friction force:

Fm = µ s N

•Kinetic-friction force:
Fk = µ k N

•Maximum static-friction force and kinetic-friction force

are:
- proportional to normal force
- dependent on type and condition of contact
surfaces
- independent of contact area
Chapter 7: Introduction to Friction Topic 7.1 : Laws of Dry Friction Leave blank

7.1.1 Coefficients of Dry Friction

•Four situations can occur when a rigid body is in contact with a horizontal surface:

• No friction, • No motion, • Motion impending, • Motion,

(Px = 0) (Px < Fm) (Px = Fm) (Px > Fm)
Chapter 7: Introduction to Friction Topic 7.1 : Laws of Dry Friction Leave blank

• It is sometimes convenient to replace normal force N and friction force F by their resultant R:

• No friction • No motion • Motion impending • Motion

F µ N F µ N
tan φ s = m = s tan φ k = k = k
N N N N
tan φ s = µ s tan φ k = µ k
Chapter 7: Introduction to Friction Topic 7.1 : Laws of Dry Friction Leave blank

7.1.2 Angle of Friction

• Consider block of weight W resting on board with variable inclination angle θ.

• No friction • No motion • Motion impending • Motion

Chapter 7: Introduction to Friction Topic 7.2 : Analysis of Problems Involving Dry Friction Leave blank

7.2 Analysis of Problems Involving Dry Friction

• All applied forces known • All applied forces known • Coefficient of static
friction is known
• Coefficient of static friction is • Motion is impending
known • Motion is impending
• Determine value of coefficient
• Determine whether body will of static friction. • Determine magnitude or
remain at rest or slide direction of one of the
applied forces
Chapter 7: Introduction to Friction Topic 7.2 : Analysis of Problems Involving Dry Friction Leave blank

Example 1

SOLUTION:

• Determine values of friction force and normal reaction

force from plane required to maintain equilibrium.

• Calculate maximum friction force and compare with

friction force required for equilibrium. If it is greater,
block will not slide.

• If maximum friction force is less than friction force

A 100 N force acts as shown on a 300 required for equilibrium, block will slide. Calculate
N block placed on an inclined plane. kinetic-friction force.
The coefficients of friction between
the block and plane are µs = 0.25 and
µk = 0.20. Determine whether the
block is in equilibrium and find the
value of the friction force.
Chapter 7: Introduction to Friction Topic 7.2 : Analysis of Problems Involving Dry Friction Leave blank

Continue … SOLUTION:
• Determine values of friction force and normal reaction
force from plane required to maintain equilibrium.

∑ Fx = 0 : 100 N - 53 (300 N ) − F = 0

F = −80 N

∑ Fy = 0 : N - 54 (300 N ) = 0

N = 240 N

• Calculate maximum friction force and compare with

friction force required for equilibrium. If it is greater,
block will not slide.

Fm = µ s N Fm = 0.25(240 N ) = 60 N

The block will slide down the plane.

Chapter 7: Introduction to Friction Topic 7.2 : Analysis of Problems Involving Dry Friction Leave blank

Continue …

• If maximum friction force is less than friction force

required for equilibrium, block will slide. Calculate
kinetic-friction force.

Factual = Fk = µ k N
= 0.20(240 N )
Factual = 48 N
Chapter 7 : Introduction to Friction Topic : References Leave blank

Acknowledgement

The contents and figures used this chapter are duplicated and edited from the following
references.

References

Ferdinand P. Beer & Russell Johnston Jr., Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics, 8th ed. in
SI units, McGraw-Hill, 2007.

J. L. Meriam & L.G. Kraige, Engineering Mechanics, Statics, 6th ed. SI ver., J. Wiley & Sons,
2007.

R. C. Hibbeler, Engineering Mechanics, Statics, 12th ed. in SI units, Prentice Hall, 2010.