WHAT ARE WEDGES?

A wedge is a simple machine in which a small force

W P is used to lift a large weight W.

To determine the force required to push the wedge in

or out, it is necessary to draw FBDs of the wedge and
the object on top of it.

It is easier to start with a FBD of the wedge since you

know the direction of its motion.
Note that:
a) the friction forces are always in the direction
opposite to the motion, or impending motion, of the
wedge;
b) the friction forces are along the contacting
surfaces; and,
c) the normal forces are perpendicular to the
contacting surfaces.
WHAT ARE WEDGES? (CONTINUATION)

Next, a FBD of the object on top of the wedge is

drawn. Please note that:
a) at the contacting surfaces between the wedge
and the object the forces are equal in magnitude
and opposite in direction to those on the wedge; and,
b) all other forces acting on the object should be
shown.
WHAT ARE WEDGES? (CONTINUATION)

W
If the object is to be lowered, then the
wedge needs to be pulled out. If the value
of the force P needed to remove the
wedge is positive, then the wedge is self-
locking, i.e., it will not come out on its own.

However, if the value of P is negative, or

zero, then the wedge will come out on
its own unless a force is applied to keep
the wedge in place. This can happen if
the coefficient of friction is small or the
wedge angle  is large.
 WEDGES?

• Wedges - simple machines • Wedge as free-body

• Block as free-body
used to raise heavy loads.
å Fx = 0 :
• Force required to lift block å Fx = 0 : - m s N 2 - N3 (m s cos 6° - sin 6°)
is significantly less than - N1 + m s N 2 = 0
+P=0
å Fy = 0 :
block weight.
• Friction prevents wedge å Fy = 0 :
- W - m s N1 + N 2 = 0
from sliding out. - N 2 + N3 (cos 6° - m s sin 6°) = 0
• Want to find minimum
force P to raise block.
 EXAMPLE

 Determine the force P

required to start the
wedge. The angle of
friction for all surfaces in
contact is 15°.
 SOLUTION

 From the FBD of the block

to the right
ΣFV=0
R1cos15∘=R2sin15∘+200
R1=0.2679R2+207.06

ΣFH=0ΣFH=0
R2cos15∘=R1sin15∘+50
R2cos15∘=(0.2679R2+207.
06)sin15∘+50
0.8966R2=103.59
R2=115.54 kN
 SOLUTION

 From the FBD of the

wedge to the left
ΣFH=0
R3cos30∘=R2cos15∘
R3cos30∘=115.54cos15∘
R3=128.87 kN

ΣFV=0
P=R2sin15∘+R3sin30∘
P=115.54sin15∘+128.87si
n30∘
P=94.34 kN answer
 EXAMPLE

 The wedge is used to level the floor of a building. For the floor
loading shown, determine the horizontal force P that must be
applied to move the wedge forward. The coef ficient of static
friction between the wedge and the two surfaces of contact is
μs. Neglect the size and weight of the wedge and the
thickness of the beam.
Given:
F1 = 2 kN a=3m
F2 = 4 kN b=2m
F3 = 4 kN c=3m
F4 = 2 kN θ = 15 deg
μ s = 0.25
 SOLUTION

 (F1 − N1)(a + b + c) + F2(b + c) + F3 c = 0

 N2 cos(θ) − μ sN2 sin(θ) − N1 = 0

 μ sN1 + μ sN2 cos(θ) + N2 sin(θ ) − P = 0

N1 = 6000 N Ans.
N2 = 6660 N Ans.
P = 4830 N Ans.
 EXERCISE FOR WEDGES

 Determine the minimum weight of

block B that will keep it at rest while
a force P starts blocks A up the
incline surface of B. The weight of A
is 100 lb and the angle of friction for
all surfaces in contact is 15 °.
 EXERCISE FOR WEDGES

 From the FBD of block A

ΣFV=0
R1cos 45∘=100
R1=141 .42 lb

 From the FBD of block B

ΣFH=0
R2sin15∘=R1sin45∘
R2sin15∘=141 .42sin45∘
R2=386.37 lb

ΣFV=0
WB+R1cos45∘=R2cos15∘
WB+141 .42cos45∘=386.37cos15∘
WB=273.20 lb answer