The supporting structures in large-size slewing bearings are highly flexible. In order to choose the proper bearing and shape the load-carrying structure one must estimate the distribution of forces among the individual rolling elements. Advanced numerical models are needed for this. An original method of modeling the rolling element-track system is presented and its usefulness for modeling large-size bearings is demonstrated. The results of an exemplary analysis are presented in the form of graphs and figures. The superelement-based discrete bearing models are so far most comprehensive and take into account all the phenomena involved in the bearing-supporting structures system. The application of the finite-element method and the models based on the track-rolling element-track superelement made it possible to determine the effect of the deformability of the supporting structures and the nonuniformity of their flexibility on the loading of the rolling elements in the two-row bearing. The use of formulas which do not take into account the flexibility of the supporting structures to determine the distribution of the load among the rolling elements is unacceptable.

Issue Section:
Technical Briefs
Keywords:
machine bearings, graphs, finite element analysis, deformation, flexible structures, large-size bearings, finite element method, load-carrying structures
Topics:
Bearings, Stress, Finite element methods
1.
Smolnicki
,
T.
, 2002,
Physical Aspects of Coherence of Large-Size Slewing Bearings and Deformable Supporting Structures
,
Oficyna Wyd. PWr.
, Wrocław, Poland (in Polish).
2.
Pallini
,
R.
, and
Rumbarger
,
J.
, 1979, “
Failure Analysis and Redesign of Large-Diameter Stacker Reclaimer Slew Bearings
,”
Lubr. Eng.
0024-7154,
12
, pp.
692
–
697
.
3.
Wozniak
,
J.
, 1982, “
Ein Beitrag zur Ermittlung der Lastverteilung in Kugeldrehverbindungen
,” Konstruktion, 34(
10
), pp.
393
–
398
.
4.
Prebil
,
I.
,
Zupan
,
S.
, and
Lučič
,
P.
, 1997, “
Lastverteilung auf Wälzkörper von Drehverbindungen
,” Konstruktion, 11, pp.
339
–
345
.
5.
Shirkhodaie
,
A.
, and
Dubeck
,
J.
, 2003, “
Physics-Based Modeling of Bearing Based on Finite Element Technique
,”
Proceedings 2003 ASME International Mechanical Engineers Congress
, Washington, D.C., November.
6.
Rusiński
,
E.
,
Czmochowski
,
J.
, and
Smolnicki
,
T.
, 2000,
Advanced Finite Element Method for Load-carrying Structures of Machines
,
Oficyna Wydawnicza PWr.
, Wrocław, Poland (in Polish).
7.
Zienkiewicz
,
O. C.
, and
Taylor
,
R. L.
, 2000,
The Finite Element Method, Solid Mechanics
, 5th ed.,
Butterworth–Heinemann
, London, Vol.
2
.
8.
Smolnicki
,
T.
, 1999, “
Nonlinear Models of Track–Ball–Track System for Determining Thrust Distribution in Large-Size Slewing Bearing
” (in Polish), Przeglad Mechaniczny, 5–6, pp.
16
–
20
.
9.
Qiu
,
L.
, and
Parejko
,
J.
, 2004, “
Raceway Curvature Effect Analysis and Optimum Design on Ball Bearing Life Performance
,”
Proceedings 2004 ASME/STLE International Joint Tribology Conference
, Long Beach, CA, October.
10.
Schlecht
,
B.
, 2000,
Modern Drive Technology for the Mining and Minerals Industry Bulk Solids Handling in Surface Mines
,
Trans Tech Publications
, Clausthal-Zellerfeld, pp.
195
–
202
.
11.
Kleiber
,
M.
, and
Woźniak
,
C.
, 1991,
Nonlinear Mechanics of Structures
,
PWN
, Warsaw.
12.
Kania
,
L.
, “
Analysis of Internal Load of Slewing Bearings in Respect of Their Static Load Carrying Capacity
,” Wydawnictwa Politechniki Czestochowskiej 2005 (in Polish).
Copyright © 2007
 by American Society of Mechanical Engineers
You do not currently have access to this content.