Modelling of surface crack growth under lubricated rolling-sliding contact loading

The paper describes modelling approach to computational simulation of surface crack growth subjected to lubricated rolling-sliding contact conditions. The model considers the size and orientation of the initial crack, normal and tangential loading due to rolling-sliding contact and the influence of fluid trapped inside the crack by a hydraulic pressure mechanism. The motion of the contact sliding load is simulated with different load cases. The strain energy density (SED) and maximum tangential stress (MTS) crack propagation criteria are modified to account for the influence of internal pressure along the crack surfaces due to trapped fluid. The developed model is used to simulate surface crack growth on a gear tooth flank, which has been also experimentally tested. It is shown that the crack growth path, determined with modified crack propagation criteria, is more accurately predicted than by using the criteria in its classical form.