An experimental study on the transverse vibration of a power transmission belt

In this paper an experimental study on the transversal vibrations of a rubber flat belt is presented. The aim is to evaluate the influence of the axial velocity on system vibrations and to study the nonlinear system behaviour in resonance conditions. Since the transversal vibration of a non-still surface cannot be measured through classical testing tools such as accelerometers, strain-gauges, etc., the measurements are performed using a laser-Doppler vibrometer. The axial velocity is identified by a simple axially moving string model. Nonlinear vibrations are observed and qualitatively compared with those of a hardening Duffing oscillator. The experimental results are compared to, and explained through, the theoretical and numerical predictions presented in the literature.