Belts

(Flexible Mechanical Elements)

Purpose:
Power transmission at a long distance
Ability to absorb shock make belts is preferable.

Types of Belts

Flat and round belts can vary in length

V and Timing have standard length

Basic Working Principle

Slack side

Tight Side

Two pulleys drive and driven

Drive pulley is normally to motor, engine etc. This motor will cause
the pulley to rotate.
As a result of the rotation of the pulley, friction between pulley and
belt will PULL the belt. The pulling effect causes one side of the belt
to tight (side that is being pulled) and the other side to be slacks.

Application
Conveyor belt, CVT (scotter, Honda Jazz and City)

Flat Belt Geometry

Open:
Crossed

same direction output

different

Relationship between tight side F1 and F2 is

F1 Fc
= e f
F2 Fc
where

Fc: centrifugal force

f : coefficient of friction of the belts
: angle of contact (radian)

Note on the formula

9 Avoid slippage F1 Fc e f , mean
F2 Fc

9 As increases

e f

increases

e f is the limits

Calculating ef
Refer to Table 17-2
Coefficient of friction depends on material

is the wrap angle in RADIAN, which depends on the configuration

of the open or closed and the pulley we examine.
Refer to formula 17-1

D d

2C
D d
D = + 2 sin1

2C

d = 2 sin1

D = diameter of larger pulley

d = diameter of small pulley
(govern b Type of belt: Table 17-2)
C = center distance

Calculating F1

Allowable Tension per unit width at 3 m/s (103) N/m

Therefore the maximum allowable tension:
Allowable tension x w (width of the belt)
9 Allowable tension of F1 allowable tension.
9 To increase the tension, increase the width of the belt
9 The value of the F1 is at speed 3 m/s, other speed correction
factor must be included
Allowable Tension:

(F1)all = b Fa Cp Cv
b: width of the belt
Fa: allowable tension (Table 17.2)
Cp: Pulley correction factor (Table 17-4)
CV: velocity correction factor if the V > 600 ft/min
CV : From Fig 17-9 pp 1057 (leather only)
Cv = 1 (for other belts)

Calculating centrifugal force FC

Fact of centrifugal force

Fc = mr 2 2
Weight of a meter (per unit length)

= bt

b
t

= weight density (Table 17-2) [kN/m3]

= width of the belt [m]
= thickness [m]

Fc = V 2 / g
V = dn / 60 [m / s]

Where

Calculating F2
Manipulation of torque and power equation

Transmitted Torque:

T = (F1 F2 )d / 2

Transmitted Power H:

H = ( F1 F2 )V

Other related formulae

Initial Tension:

Fi =

F1 + F2
Fc
2

STEP IN ANALYZING BELT (pp 868)

f

1.

Calculate e

2.

Setting the belt geometry : such as d (min pulley diameter d:

Table 17.2) and D and calculate Fc

3.

Calculating the T
Two simultaneous equations

T = (F1 F2 )d / 2
(F1 F2 ) = 2T / d

Eq 1

H = (F1 F2 )V

Eq 2

T=

Hd
2V

Hd
dn / 60

In this case, H is H = Hnominal (input) x Ks (service factor Table 17-15)

T=

HnomK s d
dn / 60

4.

From the T, find

(F1)a F2 = 2T/D

5.

Calculate F2 from

F2 = (F1 )a [(F1 )a F2 ]

6.

Calculate Fi

7.

Check the friction developed f which should f < f

8.

Calculate the f.o.s = Ha/HnomKs

Example Q17-10
Two shafts 6m apart, with axes in the same horizontal plane, are to
be connected with a flat belt in which the driving pulley, powered by a
six pole squirrel cage induction motor with a 75-kW rating at
1140rpm, drives the second shaft at half its angular speed. The
driven shafts drives light-shock machinery load. Select a flat belt.
Initial Selection (the selection may differ from this one)
Polyamide A-5
Diameter drive pulley: d = 340 mm
Diameter driven pulley: d = 680 mm

n = 1140 rpm
n = 570 rpm

V-Belts
9

More than 1 belt is allowed.

Types of V-Belts: A, B, C, D and E (Table 17-9 pp 879)

Selection of belt is based on (min) sheave diameter and kW
range

For each type, length has been standardized by manufacturers

(Table 17-10) :
A950 (Type A and circumference length = 950mm ),
E 4875 (Type E and circumference length = 4875mm)

Advisable speed in between 5m/s to 25m/s

Eliminate vibration: D < Center distance < 3(D+d) as

excessive vibration will shorten the belt life

Relationship between tight side F1 and F2 is

F1 Fc
= e sin( / 2 )
F2 Fc
F1 Fc
= e0.5123
F2 Fc
V
FC = K C

2 .4

Kc (from table 17-16)

Procedure V-Belt Selection
1. Calculate the pith length LP

( D d )2
LP = 2C + 1.57 ( D + d ) +
4C
2. Calculate the inside circumference
L= Lp- Lc
3. Based on the calculated L, choose the belt from Table 17-10
4. Calculate the Lp
LP=L + LC
5. Calculate center distance between pulley C
2

2
C = 0.25L P (D + d) + L P (D + d) 2(D d)
2
2

6. Verify the value C to statisfy D < C < 3(D+d)

7. Calculate the number of belt required
N = Hd/Hall

round up the value

N: number of belts
Hd : designed power
Hall : allowable power per belt
Hall = K1K2Htab
Where

Htab : tabulated value (from table)

K1 : angle of wrap correction factor (Table 17-13)
K2 : belt length correction factor (Table 17-14)

The above procedure will determine the dimensional of the belting

system such d,D, C, Lp.
The next step is to calculate the related parameters
Centrifugal force

V
FC = K C

2
.
4

eq 17-21

Power transmitted per belt

Hd = FV Nb
F =

Hd / Nb
dn / 60

*recall that Hd = Hnom Ks nd

Solve for F1 and F2

F =F1 F2
F1 Fc
= e0.5123
F
F1 = Fc + F e0.5123
Example Q17-22
A 1.5kW ELECTRIC MOTOR RUNNING AT 1720 rpm IS TO DRIVE
A BLOWER AT A SPEED OF 240 rpm. SELECT A V-BELT DRIVE
FOR THIS APPLICATION ABD SPECIFY STANDARD V-BELTS,
SHEAVE SIZES, AND THE RESULTING CENTER-TO CENTER
DISTANCE. THE MOTOR SIZE LIMITS THE CENTER DISTANCE
TO AT LEAST 550 mm.

Example 2
A machine commissioned to be utilized at a construction site will
consist of a V-Belt pulley system of 290mm and 1500mm sheave
diameters at about 1.9m apart, driven by a 40 kW engine at 400 rpm.
The machine will operate under normal torque of lightest medium
shock condition with 1.1 design factor. The engineer has to select
from either B2125, C6750 or D9000 belt based on minimum sheave
and kW range.
Determine
a) The suitable belt type and reason for choice
b) The actual center distance of the pulleys
c) The number of belt(s) required,
d) The forces on one belt
e) The factor of safety, and
f) The life of the belts in passes and hours

Example with solution

Example Q17-10
Two shafts 6m apart, with axes in the same horizontal plane, are to
be connected with a flat belt in which the driving pulley, powered by a
six pole squirrel cage induction motor with a 75-kW rating at
1140rpm, drives the second shaft at half its angular speed. The
driven shafts drives light-shock machinery load. Select a flat belt.
Initial Selection (the selection may differ from this one)
Polyamide A-5
Diameter drive pulley: d = 340 mm
Diameter driven pulley: d = 680 mm

n = 1140 rpm
n = 570 rpm

Step no 1:

Calculate

e f
D d

2C

s = 2 sin 1

D = 680mm d=340 mm
C = 6 m = 6000 mm

s = 3.08 rad

f = 0.8 (from Table 17-2)

e
Step no 2: Calculate Fc

= 11.75

V=

Fc =

V 2
g

67.8b(20.3) 2
Fc =
9.81
Fc = 2848 N

dn

60
(340)(1140)
=
60
= 20.3m / s

= bt from

Table17 2

= (10.6 x10 3 )b(6.4 x10 3 )

= 67.8b N / m

Step No 3: Calculate the Torque

H nom .K s .nd
2n / 60
75(10) 3 (1.3)(1.1)
=
2 (1140) / 60
= 898.4 Nm

T=

Ks = 1. 3(Table 17-15: can be used as a guide)

nd = 1.1
Step No 4:

2T
d
= 2(898.4) / 0.34
= 5284.7 N

( F1 ) a F2 =

Step No 5:

F2 = ( F1 ) a [( F1 ) a F2 ]

( F1 ) a = bFa C p C v
Cp=0.72
Cv=1

( F1 ) a = b( 48000)(0.72)(1)
= 34560b N

F2 = ( F1 ) a [( F1 ) a F2 ]
= 34560b 5287.7
Step No 5

( F1 ) a Fc
e f
F2 Fc
34560b 2848b
11.75
34560b 5287.7 2848b
Solve for b
b = 0.182m = 182mm
Therefore bmin = 182, choose b = 200mm
Then calculate f, F1, F2, Fi and T.
One of the solutions is
Belt : Polyamide A-5
d1 = 340mm D2 = 680mm
and b = 200mm
Fi, F1, F2, T .

Example Q17-22
A 1.5kW ELECTRIC MOTOR RUNNING AT 1720 rpm IS TO DRIVE
A BLOWER AT A SPEED OF 240 rpm. SELECT A V-BELT DRIVE
FOR THIS APPLICATION ABD SPECIFY STANDARD V-BELTS,
SHEAVE SIZES, AND THE RESULTING CENTER-TO CENTER
DISTANCE. THE MOTOR SIZE LIMITS THE CENTER DISTANCE
TO AT LEAST 550 mm.
Solution
Assumption belt Type A, Minimum sheave = 75mm
Therefore,

1)

diameter of drive pulley d = 75mm

diameter of driven pulley D = 537.5mm
(to reduce input 1720 rpm to 240 rpm)

Calculate Lp

LP = 2C + 1.57 ( D + d ) +
C = 550mm

( D d )2
4C

d = 75mm

D = 537.5mm

Lp = 2159 mm
2)
L = Lp - Lc = 2159 32 = 2127 mm
Lc = length correction factor
3)

From Table 17-10 Choose A2250 2250 mm

4) Lp = 2250 + Lc = 90 + 32 = 2282 mm

5) Recalculate new C
2

C = 0.25 L p ( D + d ) + L p ( D + d ) 2( D d ) 2
2
2

C = 616.6mm
6) Verify the value C to statisfy D < C < 3(D+d) 537.5 < C < 3(612.5) OK

7) Number of belts

N=

Hd
H all

Hall = K1.K2. Htab

K1 = angle of wrap (Table 17-13)

Dd
= 0.75
C
K1 = 0.845

K2 = 1.1 (based on Lp = 2.282 m)

Htab (From Table 17-12)

V =

dn

60
= 6.754m / s

Interpolation on Table 17-12

Hall = K1.K2. Htab = (0.845)(1.1)(0.581) = 0.54 kW

Number of belt =

Fc, F1 and F2

1.5nom K s nd
H all

(1.5)(1.1)(1.1)
0.54
= 4 belts
=

Htab = 0.581

 V
FC = K C

2
.
4

6.754
= (0.561)

2
.
4

= 4.44 N

H d / Nb
dn / 60
(1500)(1.1)(1.1) / 4
=
(0.075)(1720) / 60
= 67.1N

F =

F1 = Fc + F e 0.5123
= 4.44 + 76.1 e 0.5123
D d

2C

d = 2 sin1
= 3.13rad

Solve for F1 and then F2

Note: Smaller sheave leads to more belts
Large sheave to larger D and larger V V increase Htab increase
*However, constraint of V-Belt V 5 m/s 25 m/s

Example 2
A machine commissioned to be utilized at a construction site will
consist of a V-Belt pulley system of 290mm and 1500mm sheave
diameters at about 1.9m apart, driven by a 40 kW engine at 400 rpm.
The machine will operate under normal torque of lightest medium
shock condition with 1.1 design factor. The engineer has to select
from either B2125, C6750 or D9000 belt based on minimum sheave
and kW range.
Determine
a) The suitable belt type and reason for choice
b) The actual center distance of the pulleys
c) The number of belt(s) required,
d) The forces on one belt
Solution

FromTable179
BBelt:toolowpowercapacity
DBelt:toobigsheaveforminrequirement

Therefore,thesuitableisC6750

Lp=6750mm+72mm=6822mm

C = 0.25 L p ( D + d ) + L p ( D + d ) 2( D d ) 2
2
2

C=1909.3mm

D d

2C

d = 2 sin1
Fromequation171

= 2.497rad

Designedpowercapacity:Hd=HnomKsnd=52.8kW

Thedesignedpoweraboveisthecapacitytobetransferredthroughthe
belt.Thenextstepistocalculatethecapacityperbelt.

V=

dn
60

= 6.074

m/s

RefertoTable1712fortabulationofpowerperbelt.

Perbeltcapacitylowerforsmallersheaved1=275mmforV=6.074
Interpolation:H1=3.35kW

Perbeltcapacitylowerforsmallersheaved1=300mmforV=6.074
Interpolation:H1=3.54kW

Perbeltcapacitylowerforsmallersheaved=290mmforV=6.074
Htsb=3.464kW

FindK1(byinterpolation)
Dd
V=
= 0.634 m / s
C
InterpolationusingTable1713K1=0.903

FromTable1714,usingLp=6.822m@CtypeBelt
ThecorrectionfactorK2=1.15

Theallowablepowercapacityperbelt,Ha=K1K2HTAB=3.598kW

Hd
= 14.7
Numberofbelt: Nb =
Ha

Thereforenumberofbeltsis15

TocalculateF1,F2andFi

FromTable1716Kc=1.716

H
Nb = d = 14.7

Ha

FromEq1722

F =

60 Hd
= 579.544N
nd Nb

FromEq1719

F1 Fc
= exp(0.5123 d ) = 579.544N
F2 Fc

FromEq1724

F2 = F1 F

Solving:

F1=814N, F2=234.5N

Initialtension:

Torque:

Fi =

F1 + F2
Fc = 513 .25N
2

T=

30Hd
= 1.261 10 3 Nm
n