Aspects of Fretting Fatigue Finite Element Modelling

Fretting fatigue is a type of failure that may affect various mechanical components, such as bolted or dovetail joints, press-fitted shafts, couplings, and ropes. Due to its importance, many researchers have carried out experimental tests and analytical and numerical modelling, so that the phenomena that govern the failure process can be understood or appropriately modelled. Consequently, the performance of systems subjected to fretting fatigue can be predicted and improved. This paper discusses different aspects related to the finite element modelling of fretting fatigue. It presents common experimental configurations and the analytical solutions for cylindrical contact. Then, it discusses aspects of fretting fatigue crack initiation, such as crack location, orientation, and length, as well as stress averaging approaches. Then, it deals with the propagation stage; crack face interaction, orientation criteria, and crack growth rate are discussed. Lastly, additional aspects of recent research on fretting fatigue are reviewed: out-of-phase loading, cohesive zone modelling, wear effects, heterogeneity, and crystal orientation. Fretting fatigue is a phenomenon not well understood, and much more research is needed so that its understanding is increased and proper criteria and laws may be available for different cases.