Force Required to Open a Heavy Door

see_gen_notes · Aug 22, 2023

My general situations is that my door say weights 300 lbs and it being held up on hinges. Would gravity contribute to keeping it close? Or can I apply any force and theorically it would swing open. My experience is that the weight would contribute but drawing the free body would only show rotation about the horizontal axis and not the vertical.

Stick. · Aug 22, 2023

Friction in the hinges will likely play a role in determining if the door moves when pushed on. If the door isn't installed perfectly plumb could also affect things. Both of these factors derive from gravity, so technically yes, gravity could play a role in keeping it closed. That's all with the caveat that I understand your system correctly, which may not be true. Posting a sketch never hurts.

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Force Required to Open a Heavy Door

see_gen_notes

Civil/Environmental

Stick.

Mechanical

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