On the prediction of fatigue crack initiation in rolling/sliding contacts with provision for loading sequence effect

The principles of continuum damage mechanics are applied to predict the rolling/sliding contact fatigue crack initiation. The approach involves evaluating the subsurface stresses as well as the state of damage within the contact region. It is shown that the fatigue crack initiation life can be related to the scalar damage parameter D, which is a measure of micro-crack and voids density in the material. Comparison of the predicted results with the available experimental work shows good agreement. The effect of variable loading on the fatigue behavior of rolling contact with provision for non-linear damage evolution is also investigated.