A procedure for constructing a theoretical wear diagram of IC engine crankshaft main bearings

An algorithm for obtaining a theoretical wear diagram of internal combustion (IC) engine crankshaft main bearings is developed in the paper. A crankshaft is treated as a statically indeterminate continuous beam. The load distribution on the contact surface between a journal and a bearing is assumed to be elliptic. The whole procedure, tailored to its software implementation, is illustrated on the example of a six-cylinder diesel engine crankshaft.

► An approach for finding forces acting on IC engine crankshaft bearings is given.
► An elliptic load distribution within a journal-bearing contact zone is assumed.
► An algorithm for obtaining a theoretical wear diagram of main bearings is provided.