V Belt

The v-belts are made of rubber with fabric cords to transmit power and it is covered
with a protective layer. The cords transmit the force from the driver to the driven pulley, thereby
transmit the power. The number of cords are increased based on the force requirements. The
rubber layer transmits the force in cord to the side layers. V-belts are widely used in industry
and automobiles because of its power transmitting capacity. The wedge shape of the belt
increases the area of contact with the pulley there by increasing more friction which makes it
to carry more power without slip.

V-belt cross sections

There are different sizes of v belt cross sections named as A, B, C, D, E based on the
width of belts. These are standard sizes manufactured by the belt manufacturers.

V-belts are preferred over flat belts

V-belts are preferred over flat belts the reasons follows,
1. Power transmitted is more due to wedging action in the grooved pulley.
2. Higher velocity ratio (up to 10) can be obtained.
3. V-belt drive is more compact, quiet and shock absorbing.
4. The drive positive because the slip is negligible.
5. They are clean–require no lubrication.
6. They are efficient–performing with an average of 94-98% efficiency.
7. They are smooth starting and running.
 Design Procedure - V Belt Drive
Step:1
Belt cross section
Select standard v-belt cross section from PSG 7.58 based on
motor power(kW)

Step:2
Pulley diameters D - Diameter of larger pulley (mm)
N - Speed of the larger pulley (rpm)
Calculate the diameters of the smaller and larger pulley using
d - Diameter of small pulley (mm)
the relation.
n - Speed of the small pulley (rpm)
i - velocity ratio

Step:3
Centre distance
C - Centre distance (mm)
Calculate centre distance value based on velocity ratio/speed
ratio from PSG 7.61

Step:4
D - Diameter of larger pulley (mm)
Nominal pitch length
d - Diameter of small pulley (mm)
Calculate nominal pitch length using formula from PSG 7.61 C - Center distance (mm)

Step:5
Maximum power capacity of belt
Calculate the power capacity of belt using formula in PSG
7.62 for the selected belt cross section.
Calculate the velocity of belt / belt speed using the formula
d - Diameter of small pulley (mm)
n - Speed of the small pulley (rpm)
S - Velocity of belt of speed of belt (m/s)
Power capacity - (kW)
Step:6
For,
Number of Belts
Fa - Refer PSG 7.69
Calculate the number of belts required using the formula in FC - Refer PSG 7.58, 7.59 and 7.60
PSG 7.70 Fd - Refer PSG 7.68

Step:7
Actual center distance
C - Center distance (mm)
Calculate the center distance using the formula in PSG 7.61

Example Problem:

A centrifugal pump running at 340 rpm is to be driven by a 100 kW motor running at 1440
rpm. The drive is to work for at-least 20 hours a day. The center distance between motor and
pump shaft is 1200 mm. Suggest a suitable v-belt drive.

Given Data:
Power = 100 kW
Driver speed (n) = 1440 rpm
Driven speed (N) = 340 rpm
Centre Distance (c) = 1200 mm

Step - 1 Selection of belt section

From page no: 7.58
Based on the power of motor, the cross section of belt is selected, as D
Step - 2 Selection of Std. Pulleys

i = 4.235
From page No: 7.58 for
the selected cross section,
d value is given
d = 355 mm

D = 1503.33 mm

From page no: 7.54

Standard pulley diameters are
d = 355 mm
D = 1600 mm

Step - 3 Centre distance

Given, Centre distance (C) = 1200 mm

If center distance is
not given, it can be
approximated using
the table in page no:
7.61
Step - 4 Nominal pitch length selection
Formula for nominal pitch length is in page no: 7.61
𝜋 (𝐷 − 𝑑)2
𝐿 = 2𝐶 + ( ) (𝐷 + 𝑑) +
2 4𝐶

= 5793.83 mm

The standard nominal length is selected based on the cross section of belt from page no: 7.59
to 7.60

Standard Nominal Length = 6124 mm

Step - 5 Modification factors
Length Correction Factor (Fc)

From page no: 7.58 – 7.60

Based on cross section of
belt selected its chosen

Load Correcting factor = 1

Arc of Contact Factor (Fd)

From page no: 7.68

= 117.75 ൦

For arc of contact 117.75 ൦

Arc of contact factor = 0.81
Service Factor (Fa)
From page no: 7.69

The working over 16 hrs

Service factor = 1.3

Step - 6 Calculation of Maximum

power capacity
From page no: 7.62

= 26.76 m/s

To find de
de = 355 x 1.14
= 404.7 mm

= 25 kW
Step – 7 Determination of number of belts
from page no. 7.70
P Fa
𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑡𝑠 =
kW Fc Fd

Step - 8 Actual Centre Distance

from page no: 7.61

𝐶 = 𝐴 + √𝐴2 − 𝐵 (mm)
𝐿 𝐷+𝑑
Where 𝐴=4− 𝜋 8

(𝐷 − 𝑑)2
𝐵=
8

6124 1600 + 355

A= − π
4 8
A = 763.27
(1600 − 355)2
B=
8
B = 193753.125

C = 763.27 + √763.272 − 193753.125

C = 1386.83 mm
Step - 9 Pulley Dimensions
From page no: 7.70, for the selected “D”
cross section v-belt, the pulley dimensions
follows
d = 355 mm
D = 1600 mm
Pitch Width (lp) = 27 mm
Angle (A) = 36 o
Centre to centre distance (e) = 37 mm
Edge of pulley to first grove (f) = 24 mm
Minimum distance down to pitch line = 8.1 mm