Belt Sample Questions

11. Mention the factors on which power transmitted by a belt depends.

12. How would you select a belt? Mention belt types and materials usually used for them.
13. Why do we use the followings: (i) compound belt drive? (ii) idler pulley? (iii) stepped pulley
drive? (iv) fast and loose pulley drive? (v) crossed belt drive?
14. Lengths and contact angles for open belt drive, and crossed belt drive=?
15. Belt initial tension=? Torque on a pulley=? Equation of power transmitted by a belt=?
16. What is the ratio of driving tensions for a flat belt drive? V-belt drive?
17. How does the centrifugal tension affect the power transmission?
18. How does the maximum tension in a belt relate to its strength?
19. Mention the relation of belt tension with its velocity for maximum power transfer.
20. Where are the V-belts used? Mention the advantages of V-belts over flat belts.
21. What is slip? Speed ratio with slip =?
22. Speed ratio for compound belt drive=?
23. Belt problems.
Answer to Sample Questions
11. Power transmitting factors by belts: velocity, tension, contact angle of smaller pulley, and
conditions of use.
12. Belt selection factors: i) Speed of the driving and driven shafts, ii) speed reduction ratio, iii)
power to be transmitted, iv) centre distance between the shafts, v) positive (no-slip) drive
requirements, vi) shafts’ layout, vii) space available, and viii) service conditions.
Belt types: flat belt, V-belt, circular belts (ropes) etc.
Belt materials: leather, cotton/ fabric, rubber, balata.
13. i) compound belts are used to reduce the load on bearings, to get higher speed ratio, and
branching power output.
ii) idler pulleys provide higher contact angle for open belts, even when belt tension cannot
be attained by other means.
iii) stepped pulley drives are used for changing the speed of the driven shaft while the main
or driving shaft runs at constant speed.
iv) fast and loose pulley drives are used when the driven or machine shafts are to be started
or stopped whenever desired without interfering with the driving shaft.
v) crossed belt drives are used to rotate the parallel shafts in opposite directions.
14. Considering d1 and d2 as the diameters of larger and smaller pulleys respectively, and x as
the distance between the axes of the shafts carrying these pulleys
2 2
π ( d1 −d 2 ) π ( d1 +d 2 )
d +d +2 x+ d +d +2 x+
Lopen = 2 ( 1 2) 4x ; Lcross = 2 ( 1 2) 4x
The contact angle ɵ with the smaller pulley can be found with the following equations:
d −d π
sin α= 1 2 ; θ= (180−2 α )
For open belts 2x 180 rad;
 d 1 +d 2 π
sin α= ; θ= (180+ 2α )
For crossed belts 2x rad;180
15. Belt initial tension T0 = (T1+T2+2Tc)/2; where T1 and T2 are tight and slack side tensions
respectively, Tc is tension in the belt for centrifugal force (= mV2, m being belt mass per unit
length, and V, the belt velocity). T0 = (T1+T2)/2 if Tc is ignored.
Torque on a pulley = (T1-T2).d/2; d being the pulley diameter.
Power transmitted by a belt, P = (T1-T2)V watt; where belt tensions T1 and T2 are in Newton
and velocity V is in m/s.
μθ
T1
T2
= e μ
16. The ratio of driving tensions for a flat belt drive is given by: ; where is the
coefficient of friction and θ is the contact angle with the smaller pulley in radian. For V-
belt
μθ/ sin β
T1
= e
T2 ; where β is the half groove angle; μ and θ are same as in flat
belts.
17. Maximum tight side tension with centrifugal tension (Tc), T or Tt1= T1+Tc; that with slack
side with Tc, Tt2= T2+Tc. So, the power transmitted
T +T − T +T V =( T −T ) V
P = (Tt1-Tt2)V = {( 1 c ) ( 2 c ) } 1 2 ; which is same as the power
transmitted without considering centrifugal tension. Thus we see that centrifugal tension has
no effect on the power transmitted.
18. Maximum tension, T or Tt1 = σA=σ bt (for flat belts). Here σ is the belt strength, b is
the
belt width and t is the belt thickness.
T1 T
19. For maximum power transfer,
the
V=
√ 2m = √ 3 m ; where T1 is the tight side tension, T is

maximum allowable tension and m is the belt mass per unit length.
20. A V-belt is mostly used in factories and workshops where a great amount of power is to be
transmitted from one pulley to another when the two pulleys are very near to each other.
Advantages of V-belt drives:
i) compact, ii) positive, the slip negligible, iii) endless, no joint trouble; smooth and quiet
operation, iv) long (3 – 5 years) life, v) easy installation and removal, vi) cushions machine
starting shock, vii) high velocity ratio (up to 10) may be obtained, viii) more power
transmitted (for the same coefficient of friction, arc of contact and allowable tension in the
belts), ix) may be operated in either direction with tight side of the belt at the top or bottom.
The centre line may be horizontal, vertical or inclined.
21. If the frictional grip between the belt and pulley is insufficient, forward motion of the driver
may be caused without carrying the belt with it. This is called slip. Speed ratio with slip:
 N 2 d 1 +t s +s d s +s
=
N 1 d 2 +t
(1− 1 2 )≈ 1 1− 1 2
100 d2 100 ( ) neglecting belt thickness; s 1 and s 2 are
the slip
percentages with 1st and 2nd pulleys respectively.
N 2 d1 N 4 d3 N 2 N 4 d1 d3
= ; = ; × = ×
22. N 1 d 2 N 3 d 4 multiplying N 1 N 3 d 2 d 4 ; since N 2 =N 3 (keyed to
the same shaft), it yields N4/N1= (d1xd3)/ (d2xd4). Thus, Speed of last driven/ Speed of first driver
= Product of diameters of drivers/ Product of diameters of drivens.

Solution to belt Problems

15. Two shafts whose centers are 1 m apart are connected by a V-belt drive. The driving pulley is
supplied with 100 kW and has an effective diameter of 300 mm. It runs at 1000 rpm. while the
driven pulley runs at 375 rpm. The angle of groove on the pulleys is 40°. The permissible tension
in 400 mm2 cross-sectional area belt is 2.1 MPa. The density of the belt is 1100 kg/m3. The
coefficient of friction between the belt and pulley is 0.28. Estimate the number of belts required.
V-belt, Ptrans= 100 kW, N1= 1000 rpm, d1= 300 mm = 0.3 m, N2= 375 rpm, 2β= 400, β = 200, A=
400 mm2 = 400x10-6 m2, σ = 2.1 MPa = 2.1x 106 N/m2, μ = 0.28, ρ = 1100 kg/m3; x = 1
m.
πd 1 N 1 π×0 . 3×1000 N 1 d1 1000×0 . 3
= =15 . 708 d 2= = =0 .8
V= 60 60 m/s; N 2 375 m;
m=mass /length = Area x 1 x density = Ax1x ρ = 400x10-6x1100 = 0.44 kg/m
Tc = mV2 = 0.44 x 15.7082 =108.565 N; T= σ A= 2.1x 106x400x10-6 = 840 N;
d 2−d 1 0. 8−0 .3
sin α= = =0. 25 ;
T1 = T – Tc = 840 – 108.565 = 731.4345 N; 2x 2×1
05×π
−1 θ=180−2 α =180−2×14 . 8=151 .05 0 =151. =2. 636
α=sin ( 0 . 25 ) = 14.80; 180
μθ
sin β
rad; μ θ =0.28 x 2.636 = 0.738; μ θ /sinβ = 0.738/ sin200 =2.1582; e =e 2. 1582 =
T1 731 . 435
T 2= μθ
=
sin β
8 .655
8.655; e = 84.505 N
P=( T 1 −T 2 ) V =( 731 . 435−84 .505 ) ×15. 708=10162
W = 10.162 kW;
Ptrans 100
= =9. 84≈¿ ¿
No. of belts = P 10. 162 10 (next integer).
14. Power is transmitted between two shafts by a V-belt whose mass is 0.9 kg/m length. The
maximum permissible tension in the belt is limited to 2.2 kN. The angle of lap is 170° and the
groove angle 45°. If the coefficient of friction between the belt and pulleys is 0.17, find:
(i) velocity of the belt for maximum power; and (ii) power transmitted at this velocity.
V-belt, m=0 . 9 kg/m, T =2. 2 kN = 2200 N, θ = 1700, 2 β= 450, μ = 0.17, (i) V=? (ii)
P=?
T 2200
(i)
V=
√ √ =
3 m 3×0 . 9
=28 . 545

2
m/s
2
(ii); T 1 =T −mV =2200−0 . 9×28. 545 =1466 .6 N; μ θ /sin β =
μθ
170 0 .17 T 1 sin β 1. 31 T1
=1. 31 =e =e =3 . 736 1466 . 6
×π ×
T T = = =392. 54
180 sin 22.5 ; 2 ;
2
3 .736 3 . 736 N
P=( T 1 −T 2 ) V
= (1466.6 – 392.54) x 28.545 = 30659 W ¿ 30.66 kW
13. A V-belt drive consists of three V-belts in parallel on grooved pulleys of the same size. The
angle of groove is 30° and the coefficient of friction 0.12. The cross-sectional area of each belt is
800 mm2 and the permissible safe stress in the material is 3 MPa. Calculate the power that can be
transmitted between two pulleys 400 mm in diameter rotating at 960 rpm.
3 V-belts, θ = 1800 ( equal pulleys) = π rad, 2 β = 300, μ = 0.12, A= 800 mm2 = 800 x
10-6 m2, σ = 3 MPa = 3 x 106 N/m2, d1= d2= 400 mm = 0.4 m, N = 960 rpm, P =?
π dN π ×0 . 4×960
V=
= =20 .106
T= σ A= 3x 106x 800 x10-6 = 2400 N; 60 60 m/s; T ¿ T1 (m
T1 1

¿ 0);
P=( T 1 −T 2 ) V
=
( )
T 1− μθ V =T 1 VC
e sin β ;
(
C= 1− . 12×π =0 .767
esin 15 )
; P = 2400 x
20.106 x 0.767 = 37009 W = 37.01 kW; With 3 belts power transmitted = 3 x 37.01 = 111.03
kW
12. An open belt connects two flat pulleys. The smaller pulley is 400 mm diameter and runs at
200 rpm. The angle of lap on this pulley is 160° and the coefficient of friction between the belt
and pulley face is 0.25. The belt is on the point of slipping when 3 kW is being transmitted.
Which of the following two alternatives would be more effective in order to increase the power?
(i) Increasing the initial tension in the belt by 10 per cent, and (ii) Increasing the coefficient of
friction by 10 per cent by the application of a suitable dressing to the belt.
Open flat belt, N= 200 rpm, d =400 mm=0.4 m, θ = 1600, μ = 0.25, P = 3 kW = 3000 W
160×π ×0. 25
π dN π ×0 . 4×200 T 1 μθ 180 0 . 698
V= = =4 .189 =e =e =e =2 . 01
60 60 m/s; T 2 ; or, T = 2.01
1
P=( T 1 −T 2 ) V ∴
T2 ; or, T1- T2 = P/V = 3000/4.189 = 716.2 N; or, 2.01T2 - T2 = 716.2; T2 =
709.1 N
T1 = 2.01 x 709.1 =1425.3 N; T0o = (T1+T2)/2 = 1067.2 N
(i) T0 = 1.1 T0o = 1.1 x 1067.2 = 1173.93 N; ∴ T1+T2 = 2 T0 = 2 x 1173.94 = 2347.84 N
or, 2.01 T2+T2 = 2347.84, or, T2 = 2347.84/3.01 = 780.01 N;
∴ T1 = 2.01 T2 = 2.01 x 780.01 = 1567.83 N;
 P=( T 1 −T 2 ) V
= (1567.83-780.01) x 4.189 = 3300 W = 3.3 kW
μθ 0 . 275×160×π /180
(ii) μ = 1.1x0.25 = 0.275, T1 same as before (= 1425.3 N), e =e =2. 155
T 1425 .3
T 2 = μθ1 = =661 .3
e 2. 155 P=( T 1 −T 2 ) V
N; = (1425.3-661.3) x 4.189 = 3200 W = 3.2 kW
∴ First method is more effective
11. A flat belt, 8 mm thick and 100 mm wide transmits power between two pulleys, running at
1600 m/min. The mass of the belt is 0.9 kg/m length. The angle of lap in the smaller pulley is
165° and the coefficient of friction between the belt and pulley is 0.3. If the maximum
permissible stress in the belt is 2 MN/m2, find: (i). maximum power transmitted; and (ii). initial
tension in the belt.
0 6
Flat belt, t = 8mm, b = 100 mm, m=0.9 kg/m, θ=165 μ=0.3,
σ =2×10 N/m2, V=
,
6 −6
1600 m/min = 1600/60 = 26.67 m/s, P, T0 = ? T =σ bt=2×10 ×100×8×10 =1600 N;
2 2
T c=mV =0 .9×26 . 67 =640 N; T 1 =T −T c=1600−640=960 N;
T1 960
3×165×π T 2= = =404 .64
μθ=0 . =0 . 864 ; μθ 0 . 864 μθ 2. 3725
180 e =e =2. 3725 ; e N;
P=( T 1 −T 2 ) V
= (960-404.64) x 26.67 =148096 W = 14.81 kW
T 1 +T 2
+T c
T0 = (T1+T2+2Tc)/2 = 2 = (960+404.64)/2 +640 = 1322.3 N
10. The power transmitted between two shafts 3.5 meters apart by a cross belt drive round the
two pulleys 600 mm and 300 mm in diameters, is 6 kW. The speed of the larger pulley (driver) is
220 rpm. The permissible load on the belt is 25 N/mm width of the belt which is 5 mm thick. The
coefficient of friction between the smaller pulley surface and the belt is 0.35. Determine: (i)
necessary length of the belt; (ii) width of the belt, and (iii) necessary initial tension in the belt.
Cross belt, x = 3.5 m, d1= 0.6 m, d2 = 0.3m, P = 6 kW, N1 = 220 rpm, T/b= 25 N/mm, t = 5 mm,
μ=0.35; L, b, T0 = ?
d 1 +d 2 0 . 6+0 . 3
sin α= = =0 .1286 ; −1 0
2x 2×3 . 5α=sin ( 0 . 1286 )=7 . 387 ;V= d1N1/60=
π π x
0
0.6x220/60 = 6.9115 m/s; θ=180+2α=194 . 774 = 194.774 x π /180 = 3.4 rad; μ θ =
T1
μθ 1 .19
0.35x 3.4 = 1.19; e =e =3. 28645 ;
P=( T 1 −T 2 ) V
=
( e )
T 1− μθ V =T 1 VC
;
1
( )
C= 1− μθ =0 . 69572
e ; or, T1=P/CV = (6000/0.6957x6.9115) = 1247.8 N; again, T1 = 25b,
∴ b = T1/25 = 1247.8/25= 49.912 mm ¿ 50 mm
μθ
T2= T1/ e = 1247.8/3.28645 = 379.68 N, T0 = (T1+T2)/2 = (1247.8+379.68)/2 = 813.74 N
2
π ( d 1 +d 2 ) π (0 . 6+0 . 3)2
L= (d 1 + d 2 )+2 x + = (0 . 6+0 . 3)+2×3 .5+ =8 . 4716
2 4x 2 4×3 .5 m
9. An open belt drive connects two pulleys 1.2 m and 0.5 m diameter on parallel shafts 3.6 m
apart. The belt has a mass of 1 kg/m length and the maximum tension in it is not to exceed 2 kN.
The 1.2 m pulley, which is the driver, runs at 200 rpm. Due to the belt slip on one of the pulleys,
the velocity of the driven shaft is only 450 rpm. If the coefficient of friction between the belt and
the pulley is 0.3, find: (i) Torque on each of the two shafts, (ii) Power transmitted, (iii) Power
lost in friction, and (iv) Efficiency of the drive.
Given: d1=1.2m, d2= 0.5 m, x= 3.6m, N1= 200 rpm, N2= 450 rpm, μ = 0.3, m= 1 kg/m, T= 2
πd1 N 1 π ×1. 2×200
V= = =4 π ; 2 2
T c=mV =1×( 4 π ) =157 . 91;
kN; 60 60
N 2 d1 d1 1. 2
= ; N 2 th= ×N 1 = ×200=480
T 1 =T −T c=2000−157 . 9=1842 . 09; N 1 d 2 d2 0. 5
α = sin (d1-d2)/2x = (1.2-0.5)/ (2x3.6) = 5.58; θ= 180-2α= 168.840 =168.84 x π/180= 2.947
-1

rad.
T2= T1/ eµɵ =1842.09/ e2.947x0.3= 1842.09/ e0.884 = 1842.09/ 2.4207= 761 N;
Torque1 = (T1-T2) x d1/2 = (1842.1 -761)x 0.6 = 648.67 N-m;
Torque2= (T1-T2) x d2/2 = 1081.1x 0.25 = 270.25 N-m
Power = (T1-T2)V= (1842.1 – 761) x 4π= 13585.5 W= 13.585 kW
Slip, S = (N2th-N2)/N2th = 480-450/480 = 0.0625; Power loss = 13.585 x 0.0625 = 0.849 kW
Efficiency = (1-S) x 100% = (1-0.0625) x 100% = 93.75%