MCE 331 BELT DRIVE JUNE,2021.

MCE 331 Lecture Note on Belt Drive. Engr. Victor. June, 2021
Belts are used to transmit power from one shaft to another by means of pulleys which rotate at the same
speed or at different speeds. In designing for a belt drive, the shafts should be properly in line to ensure
uniform tension across the belt section. The arc of contact on the smaller pulley should be as large as
possible so the pulleys should not be too close together. If the pulleys are very far apart, the belt will
weigh heavily on the shafts, thus increasing the friction load on the bearings. A long belt tends to swing
from side to side, causing the belt to run out of the pulleys, which in turn develops crooked spots in the
belt. The tight side of the belt should be at the bottom, so that whatever sag is present on the loose side
will increase the arc of contact at the pulleys. In order to obtain good results with flat belts, the maximum
distance between the shafts should not exceed 10 meters and the minimum should not be less than 3.5
times the diameter of the larger pulley.
Though there are many types of belts used these days, yet the following are important from the subject
point of view:

1. Flat belt: The flat belt is mostly used in the factories and workshops, where a moderate amount of
power is to be transmitted, from one pulley to another when the two pulleys are not more than 8 metres
apart. High-strength flat belts are often useful because they eliminate the need for high belt tension used
to hold the pulleys, which in turn reduces the load on the shaft bearings. The material used for high
strength flat belts is a viscous resistant abrasive compound
2. V-belt: The V-belt is mostly used in the factories and workshops, where a moderate amount of power
is to be transmitted, from one pulley to another, when the two pulleys are very near to each other. The V
belt solved the slippage and alignment problem. It is now the original belt for power transmission. They
provide the best combination of traction, movement speed, a load of bearings, and longer service life.
They are usually endless, and the size of their normal cross-section is broadly trapezoidal.
3. Circular belt or rope: The round belt is a circular cross-section belt designed to run in a pulley with a
60-degree V-groove. Round grooves are only suitable for idler pulleys that guide the belt, or when O-ring
type belts are used. The circular belt or rope is mostly used in the factories and workshops, where a great
amount of power is to be transmitted from one pulley to another, when the two pulleys are more than 8
meters apart.
4. Timing or Toothed Belt: Timing belts are a positive transfer belt and can track relative movement. These
belts have teeth that fit into a matched toothed pulley. When properly stressed, they have no slippage,
move at a constant speed, and are often used to transfer direct motion for the purposes of sequencing or
timing.

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 MCE 331 BELT DRIVE JUNE,2021.

The amount of power transmitted in a belt drive depends upon the following factors:
1. The velocity of the belt.
2. The tension under which the belt is placed on the pulleys.
3. The arc of contact between the belt and the smaller pulley.
4. The conditions under which the belt is used
Types of Flat Belt Drives
The power from one pulley to another may be transmitted by any of the following types of belt drives:
1. Open belt drive: The open belt drive is used with shafts arranged parallel and rotating in the same
direction. In this case, the driver A pulls the belt from one side (i.e. lower side RQ) and delivers it
to the other side (i.e. upper side LM). Thus the tension in the lower side belt will be more than
that in the upper side belt. The lower side belt (because of more tension) is known as tight side
whereas the upper side belt (because of less tension) is known as slack side.

When the shafts are too far apart, the bottom of the belt should be the tight side and the upper
side should be the slack side. This is so, when the upper side becomes the dull side, it will relax
due to its own weight and thus increase the arc of contact.

2. Crossed or twist belt drive: The crossed or twist belt drive is used with shafts arranged parallel
and rotating in the opposite directions. In this case, the driver pulls the belt from one side (i.e. RQ)
and delivers it to the other side (i.e. LM). Thus the tension in the belt RQ will be more than that in
the belt LM. The belt RQ (because of more tension) is known as tight side, whereas the belt LM
(because of less tension) is known as slack side.

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 MCE 331 BELT DRIVE JUNE,2021.

This type of belt drive employs a belt when two parallel shafts have to rotate in the opposite
direction. At the junction where the belt crosses, it rubs against itself and wears off. To avoid
excessive wear, the shafts should be kept at maximum distance (20 b, where b is the width of belt)
from each other and operated at very low speeds (less than 15 m/s.).

3. Quarter turn belt drive. The quarter turn belt drive also known as right angle belt drive is used
with shafts arranged at right angles and rotating in one definite direction. In order to prevent the
belt from leaving the pulley, the width of the face of the pulley should be greater or equal to 1.4
b, where b is the width of belt. In case the pulleys cannot be arranged or when the reversible
motion is desired, then a quarter turn belt drive with guide pulley may be used.

4. Jockey Pulley Drive: In an open belt drive arrangement, if the center distance is small, or if the
driven pulley is too small, the arc of the belt’s contact with the driven pulley will be very small,
which reduces the tension in the belt, or if the belt requires Stress cannot be achieved by other
methods, a sluggish pulley, called a jockey pulley or idler pulley, is placed on the slack side of the
belt. This increases the arc of contact and thus stress resulting in an increase in power
transmission. This type of drive is provided to obtain high velocity ratio and when the required
belt tension cannot be obtained by other means.

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 MCE 331 BELT DRIVE JUNE,2021.

5. Compound belt drive: A compound belt drive is used when power is transmitted from one shaft
to another through a number of pulleys.

6. Stepped or cone pulley drive: A stepped or cone pulley drive is

used for changing the speed of the driven shaft while the main or
driving shaft runs at constant speed. This is accomplished by
shifting the belt from one part of the steps to the other. A step
cone pulley is an integral casting consisting of three or different
numbers of different sizes of pulleys adjacent to each other. A set
of driven cone pulleys is placed upside down on the drive shaft.
An endless belt will be wrapped around a pair of pulleys. By
shifting the belt from one pair of pulleys to another, the speed of
the driven shaft can be varied. The diameter of the pulleys driving
and operated is such that the same belt will operate when
transferred over pairs of different pulleys.

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 MCE 331 BELT DRIVE JUNE,2021.

7. Fast and loose pulley drive: A fast and loose pulley drive
is used when the driven or machine shaft is to be started
or stopped whenever desired without interfering with
the driving shaft. A pulley which is keyed to the machine
shaft is called fast pulley and runs at the same speed as
that of machine shaft. A loose pulley runs freely over the
machine shaft and is incapable of transmitting any
power. When the driven shaft is required to be stopped,
the belt is pushed on to the loose pulley by means of
sliding bar having belt forks.

Following are the various important factors upon which the selection of a belt drive depends:
1. Speed of the driving and driven shafts
2. Speed reduction ratio
3. Power to be transmitted
4. Centre distance between the shafts
5. Positive drive requirements
6. Shafts layout
7. Space available
8. Service conditions
Materials Used For Belts
The materials used for belts must be strong, flexible and durable. It should have a high coefficient of
friction. The various material used are:
Leather: The leather may be oak-tanned or mineral salt tanned ex: Chrome tanned. When the thickness
of the belt required is more than, two or more strips are cemented together. Leather belts require periodic
cleaning.
Fabric: Fabric belts are made by folding canvas or cotton ducks is a layer (depending on the required
thickness) and stitching together.
Rubber: The belts are made of Fabric with a rubber layer. These are used in sawmills, paper mills, etc.
Balata: The belts are made out of these materials are similar to rubber belts expect that balata gym is
used instead of rubber. The belts of these materials are acid and waterproof but cannot be used where
the temperature is above 45°

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 MCE 331 BELT DRIVE JUNE,2021.

Velocity Ratio of Belt Drive

It is the ratio between the velocities of the driver and the follower or driven. It may be expressed,
mathematically
Let d1 = Diameter of the driver,
D2 = Diameter of the follower,
N1 = Speed of the driver in rpm and
N2 = Speed of the follower in rpm.
∴ Length of the belt that passes over the driver, in one minute = πd1N1
Similarly, length of the belt that passes over the follower, in one minute = πd2N2
Since the length of belt that passes over the driver in one minute is equal to the length of belt that
passes over the follower in one minute,
Therefore, πd1N1= πd2N2
𝑁1 𝑑
∴ Velocity ratio 𝑁2
= 𝑑1
2

When the thickness of the belt (t) is considered,

𝑁 𝑑 +𝑡
Then velocity ratio 𝑁1 = 𝑑1 +𝑡
2 2

Note: The velocity ratio of a belt drive may also be obtained by equating the peripheral velocity of the
belt on the driving pulley to the peripheral velocity of the belt on the driven or follower pulley.

Velocity Ratio of a Compound Belt

Sometimes the power is transmitted from one shaft to another, through a number of pulleys as shown in
diagram of a compound belt drive. Consider a pulley 1 driving the pulley 2. Since the pulleys 2 and 3 are
keyed to the same shaft, therefore the pulley 1 also drives the pulley 3 which, in turn, drives the pulley 4.
Let d1 = Diameter of the pulley 1, N1 = Speed of the pulley 1 in rpm.
d2, d3, d4, and N2, N3, N4 are the corresponding values for pulleys 2, 3 and 4.
We know that velocity ratio of pulleys 1 and 2,
𝑁2 𝑑1
=
𝑁1 𝑑2
Similarly, velocity ratio of pulleys 3 and 4,
𝑁4 𝑑3
=
𝑁3 𝑑4

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Multiplying the two equations;

𝑁2 𝑁4 𝑑1 𝑑3
× = ×
𝑁1 𝑁3 𝑑2 𝑑4
𝑁4 𝑑1 𝑑3
= ×
𝑁1 𝑑2 𝑑4
(∵ N2 = N3, being keyed to the same shaft)
A little consideration will show, that if there are six pulleys, then
𝑁6 𝑑1 𝑑3 𝑑5
= × ×
𝑁1 𝑑2 𝑑4 𝑑6
or
Speed of last driven Product of diameters of drivers
=
Speed of first driver Product of diameters of drivens

Slip of Belt
Sometimes, the frictional grip between the belts and shaft becomes insufficient. This may cause some
forward motion of the driver without carrying the belt with it or some forward motion of the belt without
carrying the driven pulley with it. This is called slip of the belt. Slip of belt is usually expressed as a
percentage. As the slipping of the belt is a common phenomenon, thus the belt should never be used
where a definite velocity ratio is of importance (as in the case of hour, minute and second arms in a watch).
Let s1 % = Slip between the driver and the belt, and
S2 % = Slip between the belt and the follower.
∴ Velocity of the belt passing over the driver per second
𝜋𝑑1 𝑁1 𝜋𝑑1 𝑁1 𝑠1 𝜋𝑑1 𝑁1 𝑠1
𝑣= − × = [1 − ] … … … … (𝑖)
60 60 100 60 100
And velocity of the belt passing over the follower per second
𝜋𝑑2 𝑁2 𝑠2 𝑠2
=𝑣−𝑣× = 𝑣 [1 − ]
60 100 100
Substituting the value of v from equation (i)
𝜋𝑑2 𝑁2 𝜋𝑑1 𝑁1 𝑠1 𝑠2
= [1 − ] [1 − ]
60 60 100 100
𝑁2 𝑑1 𝑠1 𝑠2
= [1 − − ]
𝑁1 𝑑2 100 100
𝑑1 𝑠1 + 𝑠2 𝑑1 𝑠
= [1 − ] = [1 − ]
𝑑2 100 𝑑2 100
Where 𝑠 = 𝑠1 + 𝑠2 (𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑙𝑖𝑝)

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 MCE 331 BELT DRIVE JUNE,2021.

If thickness of the belt (t) is considered, then

𝑁2 𝑑1 + 𝑡 𝑠
= [1 − ]
𝑁1 𝑑2 + 𝑡 100

Creep of Belt
During rotation, there is an expansion of a belt on a tight side and contraction of the belt on the slack
side. Due to this uneven expansion and contraction of the belt over the pulleys, there will be a relative
movement (motion) of the belt over the pulleys this phenomenon is known as Creep in a belt. The total
effect of creep is to reduce slightly the speed of the driven pulley or follower. Considering creep, the
velocity ratio is given by

𝑁2 𝑑1 𝐸 + √𝜎2
= ×
𝑁1 𝑑2 𝐸 + √𝜎1

where σ1 and σ2 = Stress in the belt on the tight and slack side respectively, and
E = Young’s modulus for the material of the belt.

Length of an Open Belt Drive

Let r1 and r2 = Radii of the larger and smaller pulleys,

x = Distance between the centers of two pulleys (i.e. O1 O2),
And L = Total length of the belt.
Let the belt leave the larger pulley at E and G and the smaller pulley at F and H as shown. Through O2,
draw O2 M parallel to FE.

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 MCE 331 BELT DRIVE JUNE,2021.

From the geometry of the figure, we find that O2M will be perpendicular to O1E.
Let the angle MO2O1 = α radians.
Length of belt = Arc GJE + EF +Arc FKH + HG
= 2 (Arc JE + EF + Arc FK)………..(i)
From the geometry of the figure;
𝑂1 𝑀 𝑂1 𝐸 − 𝐸𝑀 𝑟1 − 𝑟2
sin 𝛼 = = =
𝑂1 𝑂2 𝑂1 𝑂2 𝑥
Since 𝛼 is very small;
𝑟1 − 𝑟2
sin 𝛼 = 𝛼 (𝑖𝑛 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑠) = … … … … (𝑖𝑖)
𝑥
𝜋
𝐴𝑟𝑐 𝐽𝐸 = 𝑟1 [ + 𝛼] … … … … … … . (𝑖𝑖𝑖)
2
𝜋
Similarly; 𝐴𝑟𝑐 𝐹𝐾 = 𝑟1 [ 2 − 𝛼] … … … … … . . (𝑖𝑣)

And 𝐸𝐹 = 𝑀𝑂2 = √(𝑂1 𝑂2 )2 − (𝑂1 𝑀)2 = √𝑥 2 − (𝑟1 − 𝑟2 )2

𝑟1 − 𝑟2 2
= 𝑥√1 − ( )
𝑥

Expanding this equation by binomial theorem;

(𝑟1 − 𝑟2 )2
𝐸𝐹 = 𝑥 − … … … … … . . (𝑣)
2𝑥
Substituting the values of arc JE from equation (iii), arc FK from equation (iv) and EF from equation (v) in
equation (i), we get
(𝑟1 − 𝑟2 )2
𝐿 = 𝜋(𝑟1 + 𝑟2 ) + 2𝛼(𝑟1 − 𝑟2 ) + 2𝑥 −
𝑥
𝑟1 −𝑟2
Substituting the value of 𝛼 = 𝑥
from equation (ii),

(𝑟1 − 𝑟2 )2
𝐿 = 𝜋(𝑟1 + 𝑟2 ) + 2𝑥 +
𝑥
𝜋 (𝑑1 − 𝑑2 )2
𝐿= (𝑑1 + 𝑑2 ) + 2𝑥 +
2 4𝑥

(𝑟1 +𝑟2 )2
Length of Cross belt drive 𝐿 = 𝜋(𝑟1 + 𝑟2 ) + 2𝑥 +
𝑥

𝜋 (𝑑1 + 𝑑2 )2
𝐿= (𝑑1 + 𝑑2 ) + 2𝑥 +
2 4𝑥

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 MCE 331 BELT DRIVE JUNE,2021.

Power Transmitted by a Belt

Power transmission by belt drive is one of the most
common and universally used methods of transmission
system when two shafts are parallel. If the driving pulley
pulls the belt from one side and delivers the same to the
other side. It is thus obvious that the tension on the former
side (i.e. tight side) will be greater than the latter side (i.e.
slack side). Slips may occur as a result of this motion hence
it cannot be called as a positive drive. When the belt runs
over the pulley, there is always a friction which acts in
between the pulley surface and the belt surface in the
opposite direction of motion. The belt transmits power by
friction only. The belt drive system can be used for long center-to-center distance of the shaft. For
effective transmission, friction between the pulley surface and the belt surface should be as high as
possible.

Let T1 and T2 = Tensions in the tight and slack side of the belt respectively in newton,
r1 and r2 = Radii of the driver and follower respectively, and
v = Velocity of the belt in m/s.
The effective turning (driving) force at the circumference of the follower is the difference between the
two tensions (i.e. T1 – T2).
∴ Work done per second = (T1 – T2) v N-m/s and
Power transmitted, P = (T1 – T2) v W
A little consideration will show that the torque exerted on the driving pulley is (T1 – T2) r1.
Similarly, the torque exerted on the driven pulley i.e. follower is (T1 – T2) r2.
The ratio of driving tensions for flat belt drive
𝑇1
= ℯ 𝜇.𝜃
𝑇2

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Angle of Contact
When the two pulleys of different diameters are connected by means of an open belt as shown, then
the angle of contact or lap (θ) at the smaller pulley must be taken into consideration.
Let r1 = Radius of larger pulley, r2 = Radius of smaller pulley, and
x = Distance between centres of two pulleys (i.e. O1 O2).

For Open Belt;

𝑂1 𝑀 𝑂1 𝐸 − 𝑀𝐸 𝑟1 − 𝑟2
sin 𝛼 = = =
𝑂1 𝑂2 𝑂1 𝑂2 𝑥
Angle of contact or lap,
𝜋
𝜃 = (180° − 2𝛼) 𝑟𝑎𝑑
180

A little consideration will show that when the two pulleys are connected by means of a crossed belt as
shown in Fig. 11.16 (b), then the angle of contact or lap (θ) on both the pulleys is same

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 MCE 331 BELT DRIVE JUNE,2021.

For Crossed Belt;

𝑂1 𝑀 𝑂1 𝐸 + 𝑀𝐸 𝑟1 + 𝑟2
sin 𝛼 = = =
𝑂1 𝑂2 𝑂1 𝑂2 𝑥
Angle of contact or lap,
𝜋
𝜃 = (180° + 2𝛼) 𝑟𝑎𝑑
180
The maximum tension in the belt is the tension on the tight side of the belt (T1)
𝑻𝟏 = 𝝈. 𝒃. 𝒕
Let σ = Maximum safe stress in N/mm2,
b = Width of the belt in mm, and
t = Thickness of the belt in mm
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. 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.
Taking centrifugal tension 𝑇𝑐 into account, Tension on the tight side becomes
𝑇𝑡1 = 𝑇1 + 𝑇𝑐
And tension on the slack side becomes
𝑇𝑡2 = 𝑇2 + 𝑇𝑐
Where 𝑻𝒄 = 𝒎. 𝒗𝟐
When the power transmitted is maximum, 1/3rd of the maximum tension is absorbed as centrifugal
tension.
𝑇
𝑇𝑐 =
3
And the velocity of the belt for maximum power becomes

𝑇
𝑣=√
3𝑚

When pulleys are stationary, the belt is subjected to some tension, called initial tension 𝑻𝟎
𝑇1 + 𝑇2
𝑇0 =
2

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Theory of Machines Assignment

Exercise no 1
Exercise no 5
Exercise no 10
Exercise no 11

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