Effect of interference fits on roller bearing fatigue life

An analysis was performed to determine the effects of inner-ring speed and press fits on roller bearing fatigue life. The effects of the resultant hoop and radial stresses on the principal stresses were considered. The maximum shear stresses below the hertzian contact were determined for different conditions of inner ring speed and load, and were applied to a conventional roller bearing life analysis. The effect of mean stress was determined using a Goodman diagram approach. Hoop stresses caused by press fits and centrifugal force can reduce bearing life by as much as 90 percent. Use of a Goodman diagram predicted life reduction of 20 to 30 percent. The depth of the maximum shear stress remained virtually unchanged. Presented at the 41st Annual Meeting in Toronto, Ontario, Canada May 12–15, 1986