MEE1002: Engineering Mechanics (2:1:0:0:3)

DEVAPRAKASAM DEIVASAGAYAM
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Room:11, LW, 2nd Floor
School of Mechanical and Building Sciences

Email: devaprakasam.d@vit.ac.in, dr.devaprakasam@gmail.com

Devaprakasam D, Email: devaprakasam.d@vit.ac.in, Ph: +91 9786553933

Wedges are simple machines used
to raise large stone blocks and
other heavy loads. These loads can
be raised by applying to the wedge
a force usually considerably
smaller than the weight of the load.
In addition, because of the friction
between the surfaces in contact, a
properly shaped wedge will remain
in place after being forced under
the load. Wedges can thus be used
advantageously to make small
adjustments in the position of
heavy pieces of machinery.

Devaprakasam D, Email: devaprakasam.d@vit.ac.in, Ph: +91 9786553933

Devaprakasam D, Email: devaprakasam.d@vit.ac.in, Ph: +91 9786553933
It is convenient to replace the normal force N and the
friction force F by their resultant R.
Applied force P has a horizontal component Px which tends to move
the block, the force R will have a horizontal component F and, thus, will
form an angle with the normal to the surface

If Px is increased until
motion becomes
impending, the angle
between R and the vertical
grows and reaches a
maximum value.This value
is called the angle of static
friction and is denoted by
s .

Devaprakasam D, Email: devaprakasam.d@vit.ac.in, Ph: +91 9786553933

 If motion actually takes place, the magnitude of the friction
force drops to Fk; similarly, the angle f between R and N
drops to a lower value k, called the angle of kinetic friction

Devaprakasam D, Email: devaprakasam.d@vit.ac.in, Ph: +91 9786553933

Devaprakasam D, Email: devaprakasam.d@vit.ac.in, Ph: +91 9786553933
Devaprakasam D, Email: devaprakasam.d@vit.ac.in, Ph: +91 9786553933
Devaprakasam D, Email: devaprakasam.d@vit.ac.in, Ph: +91 9786553933
Devaprakasam D, Email: devaprakasam.d@vit.ac.in, Ph: +91 9786553933
Devaprakasam D, Email: devaprakasam.d@vit.ac.in, Ph: +91 9786553933
Two 8 wedges of negligible weight are used to move and position the 800-kg
block. Knowing that the coefficient of static friction is 0.30 at all surfaces of
contact, determine the smallest force P that should be applied as shown to one of
the wedges.

Devaprakasam D, Email: devaprakasam.d@vit.ac.in, Ph: +91 9786553933

 WEDGES

Devaprakasam D, Email: devaprakasam.d@vit.ac.in, Ph: +91 9786553933

 WEDGES

24.7

R1 W R1
16.7 16.7
8
8
R2 7848N

16.7
16.7
R2

Devaprakasam D, Email: devaprakasam.d@vit.ac.in, Ph: +91 9786553933

 WEDGES
P
90-24.7
R1

P
16.7 24.7

R3
R1 90-16.7 R3

Devaprakasam D, Email: devaprakasam.d@vit.ac.in, Ph: +91 9786553933

 WEDGES

Devaprakasam D, Email: devaprakasam.d@vit.ac.in, Ph: +91 9786553933

 WEDGES

16.7

R1 W R1
16.7 ` 16.7

R2 7848N

16.7
16.7
R2

Devaprakasam D, Email: devaprakasam.d@vit.ac.in, Ph: +91 9786553933

 WEDGES
P
90-16.7
R1

24.7 P

8 16.7
R3
16.7 R1 90-24.7 R3

Devaprakasam D, Email: devaprakasam.d@vit.ac.in, Ph: +91 9786553933