A coupled finite element EHL and continuum damage mechanics model for rolling contact fatigue

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of elastohydrodynamic lubrication pressure on the rolling contact fatigue life of non-conformal contacts. In order to achieve the objectives a finite element elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) model was coupled with a continuum damage mechanics model. The coupled finite element damage mechanics and EHL (DMEHL) model was then used to investigate the effects of speed and damage variable on the fatigue life of non-conformal contacts. The results demonstrate that the damage variable has a significant effect on pressure distribution within the contact and depending on the level of damage; the pressure distribution can significantly deviate from the undamaged EHL pressure. The results also demonstrated that speed has a significant effect on fatigue and failure. A parametric study was conducted to examine the effects of the damage variable on the progression of fatigue and evolution of the EHL pressure profile. The results demonstrate that the critical damage value is important to fatigue and can drastically affect the EHL pressure profiles.