A CAD/CAE Approach For An Efficient Analysis of Contact Mechanics in Rolling Bearings

摘要

An advanced non-linear finite element method is proposed for effectivecalculations on the prediction of contact mechanics in rolling bearings. Theadvanced Augmented Lagrange formulation dealing with non-linear contactproblems is adopted. The displacements are approached by using weightedfunctions, which are called as state variables. Then, the energy equilibriumequations are integrated and are enforced to be equal to zero in a minimizationproblem of the total potential energy. The bodies in contact, i.e. the bearingelements, are modeled using conventional finite element techniques, in whichtypical values of mechanical properties are implemented for the bearing materials.Thus, the global stiffness matrix and the corresponding forces and displacementvectors can be assembled. The contact pressure distributions due to the maximumloads of the rolling elements calculated from the numerical solutions. Themaximum contact pressures between the rolling elements and raceway obtained from the finite element analysis are compared with the contact pressurescalculated using analytical solutions available in the open literature. Theagreement between the results of the two methods demonstrates the accuracy ofthe proposed technique.