Study of Contact Pressure Through Analytic Solution, Finite Element Method and Experimental Validation in Tapered Roller Bearings

Abstract

Tapered roller bearings are mechanical transmission elements capable of supporting axial and radial loads, both under static, dynamic or variables conditions. All these load combinations on the bearing are capable of inducing high contact pressures on rolling surfaces (raceway inner, raceway outer and rollers) and the relative displacements between the different component parts of the bearing. These high contact pressures on the raceway cause phenomena such as pitting, decreasing the durability of mechanical components significantly. Today, the design of this type of bearings is still based on both analytical techniques and experimental techniques, as well as on the finite element method (FEM). This paper explains the process of setting a finite element model (FEM) of a tapered roller bearing mounted on a vehicle´s axle. To adjust this FE model, Non Linear Submodeling techniques were utilized successively.