Finite element analysis of fatigue life for deep groove ball bearing

The aim of this article is to develop an accurate three-dimensional finite element model of deep groove ball bearing to analyze fatigue lives for outer race and inner race. By the finite element analysis, the stress and strain datasets for outer race and inner race are obtained and used to calculate the fatigue lives. Based on a reliable fatigue criterion, the effect of various applied loads on the fatigue lives of outer race and inner race is investigated. Several parameters, namely the raceway groove curvature radii of outer race and inner race and the thicknesses of outer race and inner race are varied to investigate their effect on the fatigue lives. Research results provide useful guidelines for determining the design parameters.