GATE ME 2019 Set 1 — Question 54
Go beyond PYQs with Success TrackerAI-powered personalised practice and doubt support. Unlimited practice on eligible plans; AI usage limits apply.NAT+2 / -0MediumBrakes, Clutches & SpringsMachine ElementsMachine Design
Machine Design → Machine Elements → Brakes, Clutches & Springs
Last updated
Question
A single block brake with a short shoe and torque capacity of is shown. The drum radius is . The lever is pivoted at a point that is a horizontal distance to the right of the shoe (whose centre is directly above the drum centre) and a vertical distance above the shoe-drum contact surface. The actuating force acts vertically downward on the lever at a horizontal distance to the left of the shoe, i.e. from the pivot. The cylindrical brake drum rotates anticlockwise at and the coefficient of friction is . The value of , in (round off to one decimal place), such that the maximum actuating force is , is ______.
Correct answer
212 to 213
Solution
Take moments about the lever pivot . Let be the normal force between shoe and drum and the friction force.Direction of friction. The drum rotates anticlockwise, so its top surface moves to the left; the friction force on the shoe (and lever) acts to the left, along the contact surface, which is below the pivot.Moments about (lever geometry: at , shoe at from the pivot):
- (downward, to the left):
- Normal reaction on the lever (upward, to the left):
- Friction on the lever (to the left, below ):
Continue learning with Success Tracker
A step still unclear? Work through it with support
Use Success Tracker to ask about the reasoning, then try another GATE ME question to check your understanding.
AI-powered practice· Unlimited practice on eligible plans
- PYQs with solutions
- Attempt available previous-year questions, then compare your reasoning with the worked solution. Coverage varies by stream.
- Practice that adapts
- Choose a topic, work on weaker areas and bookmark questions to revisit. Your attempts feed your progress tracking.
- AI doubt support
- Ask follow-up questions about a step or concept while practising, instead of stopping at the final answer.
Unlimited practice is available on eligible plans. Free practice and AI usage have limits; check the current plan allowances before choosing.
This page stays readable without an account. AI responses can be wrong; check them against the solution and source material.
More questions on Machine Elements
2026 Set 1 Q19A closely coiled helical compression spring of mean coil diameter and wire diameter , is…2026 Set 1 Q21A rectangular plate is perfectly welded to a gusset plate with parallel fillet weld joints as shown…2026 Set 1 Q34A steel plate having yield strength of 550 MPa, is subjected to biaxial state of stress as…2025 Set 1 Q22The yield stress of a metal in uniaxial tension is MPa. According to von Mises yield…2025 Set 1 Q30A shaft carries a helical spur gear. Which one of the following bearings can NOT be used to support…