A stochastic finite element method for fatigue reliability analysis of gear teeth subjected to bending

A stochastic finite element method (SFEM) is developed for accurate structural reliability analysis. Using the second-order three-moment reliability analytical model, this method takes into account such random factors as load, material parameters and especially geometry randomness. The calculation of the bending fatigue strength reliability of a cantilever beam is carried out as a numerical example to verify the present method. Monte-Carlo FEM and SFEM based on the first-order second-moment model are used in the example to compare with the proposed method. By incorporating the fatigue theory of gears, the present method is then used to analyze the bending fatigue strength reliability of a spur gear. The effects of random variables' coefficient of variation and skewness and the gear's correction factor (not random variable) on the gear's reliability are also investigated.