Research Article Open Access

Experimental Study of Load Sharing in Roller-Bearing Contact by Caustics and Photoelasticity

Konstandinos G. Raptis1, George A. Papadopoulos1, Theodore N. Costopoulos1 and Andonios D. Tsolakis1
  • 1 National Technical University of Athens 5 Heroes of Polytechnion Av, Greece

Abstract

Problem statement: In this study a comprehensive methodology for calculating load sharing in Roller-bearing contact was presented based on the experimental stress-optical method of caustics and Photoelasticity. Approach: The theoretical equations describing the geometry of transmitted caustic in relation to the length of the contact zone were derived and a simple mathematical set of equations correlating the maximum diameter of transmitted caustic with the magnitude of load was given.For this contact problem, the basic theory of photoelasticity was given. Results: The techniques of caustics and photoelasticity were applied on a set of PMMA (Plexiglas) Roller-bearings and on a set of PCBA (Lexan) Roller-bearings, respectively. Conclusion: The proposed method of the caustics is a reliable alternative for measuring load distribution in Roller-bearings compared to photoelasticity technique.

American Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Volume 4 No. 2, 2011, 294-300

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3844/ajeassp.2011.294.300

Submitted On: 15 June 2011 Published On: 13 July 2011

How to Cite: Raptis, K. G., Papadopoulos, G. A., Costopoulos, T. N. & Tsolakis, A. D. (2011). Experimental Study of Load Sharing in Roller-Bearing Contact by Caustics and Photoelasticity. American Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 4(2), 294-300. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajeassp.2011.294.300

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Keywords

  • Caustics measurements
  • photoelasticity method
  • roller-bearings
  • elastic constants
  • hertzian contact
  • contact surface
  • complex stress function
  • plane strain
  • poisson’s ratios
  • light beam