Stress Analysis of Pulley

[kunc]

What loads are needed, how should they be applied, and what is the proper approach to use to analyze a pulley? I have a solid model of the pulley and I'm trying to determine if plastic would be appropriate. I've been given the applied torque, hub load, and rpm. I also have the operating temperature. Thanks.

 

[corus]

If you model something and the stresses are above yield and you need to know the post yield behaviour then use plastic material properties, if that's what you mean.

corus

http://www.corusresearch.com

 

[kunc]

Actually, I wanted to make sure I applied the loads correctly. It is for a belt driven pulley, so I think the load which induces the torque is probably applied over some arc length. The belt tension also creates a total load that is reacted through the hub. I was wondering if others have modeled pulleys and can relate what are all the loads they used.

 

[Neilmo]

Kunc,

There will be a tension, T1 on the slack side of the pulley and a tension, T2 on the tight side of the pulley.

Now the driving force on the pulley, Fce = T2-T1 and the torque on the pulley Trq = Fce x radius of pulley. The resultant pull on the pulley (trying to bend the shaft), assuming T2 is parallel to T1, Pull = T2+T1. If T2 and T1 are not parallel to each other, then take their horizontal and vertical components to find the resultant force on the pulley shaft.

Hope this helps,
Neilmo

 

[kunc]

Thanks for the info. The pulley also has a high rpm, but the stresses induced on the pulley are small.