PhD, University of Cincinnati, 2004, Engineering : Mechanical Engineering

The dissertation is to address the need, in contact mechanics, of efficient and effective solutions to certain 3-D contact problems. The solutions developed here are based on underlying analytical solutions to pyramidal loading elements. This feature, along with other characteristics, distinguishes this method from other numerical solutions. The research work is logically divided into three subsequent parts, each of which addresses a particular aspect of the project: (1) Developed analytical solution sets in closed form to pyramidal loading profiles. First, a set of Boussinesq-Curruti equations to linear/bilinear distribution of normal and tangential loading over a triangular area are derived and evaluated. Second, solution sets to normal and tangential surface loading pyramids are constructed. The work provides a solution set to a basic loading element, which is the foundation of the development of effective and efficient semi-analytical solutions to 3-D contact problems with general geometry and loading profile. (2) Developed a semi-analytical approach (non-incremental algorithm) to 3-D normal contact problems with friction. This approach treats normal contact (indentation) phenomenon as a static problem. Based on fully coupled governing equations, the algorithm of contact detecting and stick/slip partitioning is designed as nested iterations, to fulfill contact boundary conditions. The computation shows that it is an efficient algorithm. Numerical examples are presented to show the accuracy and efficiency of the method.(3) Developed a semi-analytical approach (incremental algorithm) to 3-D contact problems with friction. This approach treats contact as a dynamic problem. The general dynamic models are simplified into quasi-static models in many practical cases that inertial force can be ignored. The incremental algorithm is designed to solve the quasi-static problems. The computation shows that the algorithm works very well for cases featuring both similar and di (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Dr. EDWARD BERGER (Advisor) Subjects: Engineering, Mechanical

Doctor of Philosophy, University of Akron, 2015, Civil Engineering

Spherical roller bearings (SRBs) utilized in the gearboxes of wind turbine generators are known to be especially susceptible to premature failure due to low cycle micropitting of the raceways. Micropitting in rolling element bearings is believed to arise from significant roller/raceway sliding in thin film lubrication conditions. Roller/raceway sliding occurs in SRBs as a consequence of their geometry, and almost all the bearings in wind turbine gearboxes operate in thin film (or low lambda) lubrication conditions. There is currently no accepted solution to mitigate micropitting in wind turbine gearboxes that are equipped with SRBs. Since WC/a-C:H coatings on rolling elements have been effectively used to solve wear issues encountered by SRBs in other industrial applications, these coatings have been offered as a solution to low cycle micropitting in wind turbine gearbox SRBs. This research plan has been developed to test the hypothesis that a WC/a-C:H coating will mitigate or eliminate micropitting such as that experienced by SRBs in wind turbine gearboxes. The laboratory tool that is used to create micropitting on test specimens is the PCS Instruments Micropitting Rig (PCS MPR). The MPR is a three-contact disc machine in which there are three rings of equal diameter positioned at 120 degrees apart with a smaller diameter roller located in the middle and in contact with all the rings. This arrangement allows the test roller to be subjected to a large number of rolling contact cycles in a short period of time and hence significantly reduces testing time. At a typical entrainment speed of 3.5m/s, the central test roller will experience approximately one million contact cycles per hour. Since the controls of the PCS MPR allow the speed, slide-roll ratio, temperature, and load to be automatically and independently controlled, the thin film lubrication and slide/roll ratio conditions that generate micropitting on SRBs can be reproduced in the laboratory. Mo (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Gary Doll Professor (Advisor); Evans Ryan Doctor (Committee Member); Binienda Wieslaw Doctor (Committee Member); Dong Yalin Doctor (Committee Member); Menzemer Craig Doctor (Committee Member); Sancaktar Erol Doctor (Committee Member) Subjects: Aerospace Engineering; Aerospace Materials; Materials Science; Mechanical Engineering