Belt and Rope Drives

Types of Belts
(1) Flat belt (rectangular cross section)
(2) V-belt (trapezoidal cross section)
(3) Circular belt or rope (Circular cross section)

Types of Flat Belt Drive

(1) Open (shafts in parallel and rotating in the same direction).
(2) Cross (shafts in parallel and rotating in opposite direction).
(3) Compound.
(4)

Selection of Belt Drive

Depends upon
(1) Center distance between the shaft
(2) Power to be transmitted
(3) Speed of the driving and driven shaft
(4) Speed reduction ratio

Velocity Ratio of Open Belt Drive

It is the ratio between the velocities of driver and driven (follower).
Let
d1 Diameter of the driver
d2 Diameter of the driven
N1 Speed of the driver in (rpm)
N2 Speed of the driven in (rpm)
Length of belt passing over the driver in one minute = Circumference of driver * Number of
revolution per
minute
=   d1  N 1
Similarly for driven
Length of belt passing over the driver in one minute =   d 2  N 2
 Length of belt passing over driver in one minute = Length of belt passing over the driven in one
minute
N 2 d1
   d1  N1    d 2  N 2  
N1 d 2

1-10
Effect of Belt Thickness on Velocity Ratio
For exact analysis the mean diameter of rotation is use for calculation of velocity ratio
Mean diameter of rotation = d + t
Velocity of belt (V) = ω1 * rm1 = ω2 * rm2
2    N1
Where ω1 … angular velocity of the driver 
60
2   N2
ω2 … angular velocity of the driven 
60
t
rm1 … mean radius of rotation of driver pulley  r1 
2
t
rm2 … mean radius of rotation of driven pulley  r2 
2
t … … thickness of belt
 t  t N d t
 1  r1     2  r2    2  1
 2  2 N1 d 2  t

Slip of the Belt

When the driver pulley rotates, it carries the belt, due to a firm grip between its surface and the belt
(frictional grip).
Let
S1 … slip between the driver and belt in percentage
S2 … slip between the driven and belt in percentage
2    N 1 d1   N1  d1
The peripheral velocity of the driver = ω1 * r1 =  
60 2 60
Due to slip the velocity of belt will decrease.
   d 1  N 1     d 1  N 1  S1   d1  N1  S 
Velocity of belt      1  1 
 60   60  100 60  100 
Now this belt is passing over the driven pulley (follower). And as there is a slip between the belt and
driven pulley
S
 Peripheral velocity of the driven = velocity of belt – (velocity of belt * 2 )
100
  d1  N1  S    d1  N1  S  S
 1  1   1  1   2
60  100  60  100  100
  d1  N1  S  S 
 1  1 1  2 
60  100  100 
2   N2 d2
 Peripheral velocity of the driven   2  r2  
60 2
  d 2  N 2   d1  N1  S  S  N d  S 
  1  1 1  2   2  1 1  where S  S1  S 2
60 60  100  100  N1 d 2  100 
If the belt thickness is then taken into account
N 2 d1  t  S 
 1 
N1 d 2  t  100 

2-10
Velocity Ratio of a Compound Belt Drive
N d
Velocity ratio between pulley 1 and 2  2  1
N1 d 2
N d
Velocity ratio between pulley 3 and 4  4  3
N3 d4
N 2 N 4 d1 d 3
Multiply    but N 2  N 3
N1 N 3 d 2 d 4
N d d Speed of last driven Pr oduct of diameter of drivers
 4  1 3  
N1 d 2  d 4 Speed of first driver Pr oduct of diameter of driven

Length of Belt
It means the total length of the belt, required to connect a driver and a driven (follower).

(a) Open Belt

arc JG  GH  arc HK    * r1  r2   2 * X  r1  r2 2

L2
X
Where
r1 and r2 … Radius of the larger and smaller
pulleys,
X … Distance between the pulley center = O1O2
L … Total length of the belt.

(b) Cross Belt

(r1 + r2 )2
L=2 (arc JG + GH + arc HK ) = π * (r1 + r2 ) + 2 * X +
X

3-10
Determination of Angle of Contact

(a) Open Belt

When the two pulleys of different diameter are connected by means of an open belt as shown
in figure above (length of open belt), then the angle of contact (θ) at the smaller pulley must be
taken into consideration.
O M O E  O1 M r1  r2
sin   1  1 
O1O 2 O1O 2 X

 
 Angle of contact ()  180   2   
180
(rad )

(b) Cross Belt

When the two pulleys are connected by means of crossed belt as shown in figure above,
(length of cross belt), then the angle of contact (θ) on both the pulleys is same.
O M O E  EM r1  r2
sin   1  1 
O1O 2 O1O 2 X

 
 Angle of contact ()  180   2   
180
(rad )

Ratio of Driving Tension for Flat Belts

The following expression gives the relation between the tight side and slack side tensions, in
terms of coefficient of friction and the angle of contact.
T1
= eμ θ
T2
Where T1 … Tension in the belt on the tight side,
T2 … Tension in the belt on the slack side,
θ … Angle of contact or angle of lap in (rad) and
μ … Coefficient of friction.

Power Transmitted by a Belt

Power transmitted = Tangential force transmitted in (N) * Velocity of belt in (m/sec)
 2   N 
= T1  T2   V  T1  T2    r (Nm/sec)
 60 
Where (T1 – T2) … effective driving force
N … Angular speed of the pulley in (rpm)
r … Radius of the pulley in (m)
 Torque exerted on the driving pulley  T1  T2   r1
And torque exerted on the driven pulley  T1  T2   r2

4-10
Centrifugal Tension (Tc)
Since the belt continuously runs over the pulleys, therefore, some centrifugal force is caused,
whose effect is to increase the tension on both, tight as well as the slack sides. The tension caused by
centrifugal force is called centrifugal tension (Tc). At lower belt speeds (less than 10 m/s), the
centrifugal tension is very small, but at higher belt speeds (more than 10 m/s), its effect is
considerable and thus should be taken into account.
Consider a small portion PQ of the belt subtending an angle (dθ) the centre of the pulley as shown in
Figure.
We know that length of the belt PQ = r d
and mass of the belt PQ = m  r d 
 Centrifugal force acting on the belt PQ,
V2
Fc  (m  r d )   2  r  m  r d    m  d  V 2
r
The centrifugal tension Tc acting tangentially at P and Q keeps the belt in
equilibrium.
Now resolving the forces (i.e. centrifugal force and centrifugal tension)
horizontally and equating the same, we have
 d   d 
Tc Sin   Tc Sin   Fc  m  d  V
2

 2   2 
 d  d
Since the angle dθis very small, therefore, putting Sin  in the above expression,
 2  2
d
2  Tc   m  d  V 2 Tc  m  V 2
2
Where m … Mass of the belt per unit length
V … Linear velocity of the belt

When the centrifugal tension is taken into account, then

Total tension on tight side  T1  Tc 
And total tension on slack side  T2  Tc 

Maximum Tension in the Belts (Tmax)

The maximum tension in the belt is equal the total tension on the tight side of the belt.
Let f … Maximum safe stress in (N/mm2)
b … Width of the belt in (mm)
t … Thickness of the belt in (mm)

Maximum tension (Tmax) = Maximum safe stress * cross sectional area of belt

 Tmax = T1 (when centrifugal tension (Tc) is neglected)

And Tmax = T1 + Tc (when centrifugal tension (Tc) is considered)

5-10
Condition for the Transmission of Maximum Power
We know that T1 = Tmax - Tc
Tmax
Tmax = f * b * t and for maximum power Tmax = 3 * Tc  Tc 
3
Tmax 2  Tmax
 T1  Tmax  
3 3
T
The velocity of the belt for maximum power V  max
3 m
2   Tmax
 max . power  T 1  1 
3 max     3 m
 e 

Initial Tension in the Belt (To)

T  T2
To  1 ( without considerin g Tc )
2
T  T2
To  1  Tc (by taking Tc int o considration)
2

V – Belt Drive and Rope Drive

Let
RN … Normal reaction between belt and
sides of the V – grooved pulley.
R … Total reaction in the plane of the
groove.
2α … Angle of the groove.

Resolving the forces vertically

R  R N  sin   R N  sin   2  R N  sin 

R R
 RN    cos ec
2  sin  2
 Frictional force    R N    R N  2    R N

 cos ec    cos ec   R

R
 2 
2
T 
  cos ec   
 1  e
T
2

6-10
 Solved Problems
Belt and Rope Drives
Ex1/ with the help of a belt, an engine running at 200 rpm drives a line shaft. The diameter of the
pulley on the engine is 80 cm and the diameter of the pulley on the line shaft is 40 cm. A
100 cm diameter pulley on the line shaft drives a 20 cm diameter pulley keyed to a dynamo
shaft. Find the speed of the dynamo shaft when:
(a) There is no slip and (b) there is a slip of 2.5% at each drive.

Solution

N 4 d1  d 3 80  100
(a)   N 4  200  2000 rpm
N1 d 2  d 4 40  20 Dynamo
(b) d3= 100 cm
shaft
N 4 d1  d 3   S1  S 2  d1= 80 cm
 1   100 
N1 d 2  d 4   
80  100   2.5  2.5 
N 4  200 1    1901.25 rpm
40  20   100 
d4= 20 cm
d2= 40 cm
Engine Line
shaft shaft

Ex2/ An open belt drive connect two pulleys 120 cm and 50 cm diameter, on parallel shafts 4 m
apart. The maximum tension in the belt is 1855.3 N. µ = 0.3. The driver pulley of diameter
120 cm runs at 200 rpm calculates (a) the power transmitted, and (b) torque on each of the
two shafts.
Solution

(a)  P  T1  T2   V
2N1 2  200 T1 
V  r  r1   0.6  12.56 m / sec ,  e  ,   180  2  
60 60 T2 180
r r  1  0.6  0.25 
   sin 1  1 2   sin    5.02


 x   4 

  180  2  5.02   2.967 rad
180
1855.3
 e 0.32.967  T2  761.8 N
T2
 P  1855.3  761.8  12.56  13730 Watt

(b) Torque on the driving shaft = (T1 – T2) * r1 = (1855.3 – 761.8) * 0.6 = 656.1 Nm
Torque on the driven shaft = (T1 – T2) * r2 = (1855.3 – 761.8) * 0.25 = 273.4 Nm

7-10
Ex3/ A belt embrace the shorter pulley by an angle of 165º and runs at a speed of 1700 m/min.
Dimensions of the belt are: Width = 20 cm and thickness = 8 mm. Its density is 1.2 gm/cm3.
Determine the maximum power that can be transmitted at the above speed, if the maximum
permissible stress in the belt is not to exceed 250 N/cm2 and µ = 0.25.
Solution

Tmax  f  area of belt  f  b  t  250  20  0.8  4000 N

Tc = m V2 where m = ρ * area of belt
1.2
= ρ * (b * t) = 1000000  (0.2  0.008)  1.92 kg / m
1000
2
 1700 
 Tc  1.92     1541.3 N
 60 
 Tmax  T1  Tc  T1  Tmax  Tc  4000  1541.3  2458.7 N

T1 0.25 165 T1 2458.7
 e  e 180
 2.056  T2    1195.86 N
T2 2.056 2.056

 P  T1  T2   V  2458.7  1195.86 

1700
 35780.46 Watt
60

Ex4/ An open belt running over two pulleys 24 cm and 60 cm diameters connects two parallel shafts
3 m apart and transmits 3.75 KW from the smaller pulley that rotates at 300 rpm, µ = 0.3 and
the safe working tension is 100 N/cm width. Determine (a) minimum width of the belt,
(b) initial belt tension and (c) length of the belt required.

Solution
r r   30  12 
  180  2 and   sin 1  1 2   sin 1    3.45


 x   300 

  180  2  3.45  173.1    173.1   3.02 rad
180
T1
 e    e 0.3  3.02  2.474  T1  2.474 T2 …….(1)
T2
2    N2 2    300
P  T1  T2   V  T1  T2    r2  3.75  1000  T1  T2    12
60 60
 T1  T2   994.7 N ........(2)2
From equations (1) and (2) T1 = 1669.5 N and T2 = 674.8 N
1669.5
(a)  Tmax  T1  100  b  1669.5  b   16.7 cm
100
T  T2 1669.5  674.8
(b) To  1   1172.15 N
2 2
r1  r2 
2
30  12
2

(c) L   r1  r2    2 x   30  12   2  300  733 cm

x 300

8-10
Ex5/ A rope drive transmits 75 KW through a 150 cm diameter 45º grooved pulley rotating at
200 rpm, µ = 0.3 and angle of lap is 160º. Each rope has mass 0.6 gm/m and maximum
tension in one rope is 800 N. Taking centrifugal tension into account, determine (a) the
number of ropes required for the drive, and (b) initial rope tension.
Solution
 2    N1
2
 2    200
2
 
Tc  m  V  m  
2
 r1   0.6 *10 6    0.75   147.894 N
 60   60 
Tmax  T1  Tc  T1  Tmax  TC  800  147.894  652.106 N
160 
T1 0.3   cos ec  22.5  T1 652.106
 e    cos ec   e 180
 8.95  T2    72.86 N
T2 8.95 8.95
 2    200 
P  T1  T2   V  652.106  72.86    0.75   9094 Watt  9.094 KW
 60 
Total power transmitted 75
Numbe of ropes required   9
Power transmitted by one rope 9.094
T1  T2 652.106  72.86
To   Tc   147.894  510.377 N
2 2

Belt and Rope Drives

(Homework’s)
Q1/ An open belt drive connected two pulleys 120 cm and 50 cm diameter on parallel shafts 4 m
apart. The belt weights 0.9 kg/m length and maximum tension in it is not to exceed 2000 N.
µ = 0.3. The 120 cm pulley, which is the driver, runs at 200 rpm. Due to belt slip on one of the
pulleys, the velocity of the driven shaft is only 450 rpm. Calculate the torque on each of the two
shafts and power transmitted.

Q2/ Two pulleys on parallel shaft are connected by a crossed belt. The diameter of the pulleys is
450 mm and 200 mm. The shafts are 1.95 m apart. Find (a) the length of the belt required,
(b) the angle of contact between the belt and each pulley, and (c) the power transmitted by the
belt when the larger pulley rotates at 100 rpm, if the maximum permissible tension in the belt is
1000 N and µ = 0.25.

Q3/ An open belt drive connected two parallel shafts 1.2 m apart. The driving and driven shafts
rotate at 350 rpm and 140 rpm respectively and the driven pulley is 40 cm diameter. The belt is
5 mm thick and 8 cm wide. µ = 0.3 and maximum permissible stress in the belting is 140 N/cm2.
Determine (a) diameter of the driving pulley, (b) maximum power that may be transmitted by
the belting, and (c) required initial tension in the belt.

Q4/ A V-belt of mass 0.9 kg/m length are used to transmit power between two shafts. The angle of
lap is 170º and angle of groove is 45º. µ = 0.17 and maximum permissible tension in the belt is
limited to 2.2 kN. Find (a) velocity of belt for maximum power and (b) power transmitted at this
velocity.

Q5/ Find the width of the belt necessary to transmit 75 kW to a pulley 30 cm diameter, if the pulley
makes 1600 rpm and µ = 0.22. Assume angle of contact is 210º, the maximum stress in the belt
is 1.1 N/mm2 and the belt thickness is 10 mm.

9-10
Q6/ A V-belt having a lap angle of 180º have a cross sectional area of 6.2 cm 2 and runs in a groove
of inclined angle of 40º. The density of belt is 0.0013 kg/cm3 and maximum stress is limited to
400 N/cm2 and µ = 0.2. Find the maximum power that can be transmitted, if the pulley has mean
diameter of 30 cm and runs at 1000 rpm.

Q7/ Find the number of ropes required in a rope drive which is used to transmit 230 kW from a
pulley of 1 m diameter running at 450 rpm. The safe pull in each rope is 800 N and mass of the
rope is 0.46 kg /m length. The angle of lap is 160º whereas the angle of groove is 45º. µ = 0.3.

Q8/ Two parallel shafts 6 m apart are to be connected by a belt running over pulleys of diameters
60 cm and 40 cm respectively. Determine the length of the belt required (a) if the belt is open
and (b) if the belt is crossed.

Q9/ 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.

Q10/ Two shafts whose centers are 1 m apart are connected by an open 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.

Q11/ A leather belt 125 mm wide and 6 mm thick, transmits power from a pulley 750 mm diameter
which runs at 500 rpm. The tension ratio is equal to 2.2 and μ = 0.3. If the mass of 1 m 3 of
leather is 1 Mg and the stress in the belt is not to exceed 2.75 MPa, find (a) the angle of contact
(in degree) and (b) the maximum power that can be transmitted.

Q12/ An electric motor drive an exhaust fan through an open belt drive. Following data are provided:
Motor Pulley Fan Pulley
Diameter (mm) 400 1600
Angle of contact (radians) 2.5
Coefficient of friction 0.3
Speed (rpm) 700
Power transmitted (kW) 22.5
Calculate the width of 5 mm thick flat belt. Take permissible stress for the belt material as
2.3 MPa, and assuming the density of the belt is 1000 kg/m3.

Q13/ A rope drive are required to transmit 750 kW from a pulley of 1 m diameter running at
450 rpm. The safe pull in each rope is 2250 N and the mass of the rope is 1 kg / m length. The
angle of lap and the groove angle are 150° and 45° respectively. Find the number of ropes
required for the drive if the coefficient of friction between the rope and the pulley is 0.3.

Q14/ A shaft rotating at 200 rpm drive another shaft at 300 rpm and transmit 6 kW through a belt.
The belt is 100 mm wide and 10 mm thick. The distance between the shafts is 4m.The smaller
pulley is 0.5 m in diameter. Calculate the stress in the belt, if it is a cross belt drive. Take μ =
0.3.

10-10