Elasto-Plastic Finite Element Analysis of Three-Dimensional Pure Rolling Contact Above the Shakedown Limit

Abstract

This paper describes calculations for repeated, frictionless, three-dimensional rolling contact, for a relative peak pressure (po/k) of 6.0 (above the shakedown limit) for a circular contact patch. This analysis was carried out for two material responses, elastic-perfectly plastic (EPP) and elastic-linear-kinematic-hardening plastic (ELKP), using the elasto-plastic finite element model developed earlier. The ELKP material parameters are those appropriate for hardened bearing steel. Frictionless three-dimensional rolling contact is simulated by repeatedly translating a Hertzian pressure distribution across the surface of an elasto-plastic half space. The half space is represented by a finite mesh with elastic boundaries. The paper describes the complex stress state existing in the half space and the attending plasticity, as the load translates. The calculations present the distortion of the rim, the residual stress-strain distributions, stress-strain histories, and the cyclic plastic strain increments in the vicinity of the contact. Compared with the analyses at the shakedown limit, higher residual stresses and strains are observed.