Estimation of roller bearing service life using computational modelling

Service life is the period during which a rolling bearing operates under cyclic contact loading before failure due to fatigue occurs. In roller bearings, repeated line contact induces alternating subsurface shear stresses, making fatigue one of the most critical failure mechanisms under practical service conditions. Accurate fatigue life prediction is therefore essential for reliable bearing design and operation. This study investigates the fatigue behaviour of roller bearings by analysing the influence of contact-induced stresses, material properties, and operating conditions on bearing service life. A numerical modelling framework based on rolling contact fatigue principles and Hertzian contact theory is employed to evaluate stress distributions within bearing components. The analysis covers key design parameters, including roller geometry and elastic material properties, together with representative loading conditions. The results define a range of design parameters and service conditions that contribute to reduced contact stresses and increased fatigue life of roller bearings, providing a basis for improved bearing design and more reliable life prediction.