Vol.26, Special Issue A, 2026, pp. S87–S96
https://doi.org/10.69644/ivk-2026-siA-0087 

ESTIMATION OF ROLLER BEARING SERVICE LIFE USING COMPUTATIONAL MODELLING

Mehmet Bozca1 , Tatjana Lazović2* , Pavle Ljubojević2 , Jovana Antić2

1) Yildiz Technical University, Mechanical Engineering Faculty, Istanbul, TURKEY

M. Bozca https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2620-6053 ,

2) University of Belgrade, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Belgrade, SERBIA

T. Lazović https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8919-3336 , *email: tlazovic@mas.bg.ac.rs ;

P. Ljubojević https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5546-5046 ;

J. Antić https://orcid.org/0009-0002-6452-0294

 

Abstract

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.

Keywords: • roller bearing • contact pressure • Von Mises stress • Basquin’s equation • fatigue life

full article (1.12 MB)