Question

When the belt is stationary, it is subjected to some tension, known as initial tension. The value of this tension is equal to the

(a) tension in the tight side of the belt

(b) tension in the slack side of the belt

(c) sum of the tensions in the tight side and slack side of the belt

(d) average tension of the tight side and slack side of the belt

I got this question in a job interview.

I'm obligated to ask this question of Belt, Rope and Chain Drives in chapter Belt, Rope and Chain Drives of Machine Kinematics

Answer 1

The correct option is (d) average tension of the tight side and slack side of the belt

Easiest explanation: When the driver starts rotating, it pulls the belt from one side (increasing tension in the belt on this side) and delivers it to the other side (decreasing the tension in the belt on that side). The increased tension in one side of the belt is called tension in tight side and the decreased tension in the other side of the belt is called tension in the slack side.