Finite Element Analysis of the Thermo-mechanical Behaviour of Defect-Free Cylindrical Roller Bearing in Operation

Bearings and cylindrical roller bearings to be specific have found application in rotating machinery due to their high load-bearing ability. The dynamic performance of the bearing is greatly influenced by the contact stress, displacement, stiffness and temperature developed during service. Hence, this study employs finite element analysis software, Abaqus to determine the thermo-mechanical behaviour of a typical healthy cylindrical roller bearing of a power generation airflow root blower subjected to a dynamic load of 160 kN at 2850 r/min (300 rad/s). The contour plots and results obtained from the analysis show that the maximum temperature developed in the bearing during operation is 118.5 °C and the maximum contact stress of 896.6 MPa was developed on the outer ring, at the point of contact between the balls and the outer ring, thus making the outer ring more prone to failure as compared to the other components of the bearing during operation.