Life Prediction of V-Belts Related to Fatigue Mechanisms

Abstract

Today, belt design and development is based on extensive application tests of belts in the product development process. There is a need for theory development and design support systems. This would enable simulation for prediction and optimization of fatigue life. The aim of this work is to study certain parts of the belt in detail when the belt is running under loaded conditions. The areas of special interest are those which can be related to failure mechanisms. Thus the model can be used for calculations to predict service life. Here, the attention is focused on V-belts. Several different failure modes can be identified in V-belt fatigue