Computational model for the analysis of bending fatigue in gears

A computational model for the determination of service life of gears with regard to bending fatigue in a gear tooth root is presented. The fatigue process leading to tooth breakage is divided into crack initiation (Ni) and crack propagation (Np) periods, where the complete service life is defined as N = Ni + Np. The strain-life method in the framework of the FEM method has been used to determine the number of stress cycles Ni required for fatigue crack initiation. Gear tooth crack propagation was simulated using a FEM method based computer program which uses principles of linear elastic fracture mechanics. The Paris equation is then used for the further simulation of the fatigue crack growth. The presented model is used to determine the service life of a real spur gear made from through-hardened steel 42CrMo4