Screw behavior in large diameter slewing bearing assemblies: numerical and experimental analyses

This paper investigates the behavior of large diameter bearing bolted joint in order to evaluate fatigue resistance of the screws. Based on experimental results, a sector of a slewing bearing is modeled using 3D finite elements. The model is built via hypothesis of sine-distributed efforts on the roller tracks. The simulations are carried out for the most loaded screw, which is located in the symmetry plane. Experimental measures on equipped screws are checked against numerical 3D simulations. This validates the numerical modeling method. Then the numerical model is used to evaluate the influence of several geometrical and physical parameters. The preload intensity reveals to be the major parameter. The bushes’ height affects load filtering and improves fatigue strength of the screws. The height of the mounting tubes smoothes potential stiff points. The friction coefficient between the ring and the mounting is investigated as well. Eventually, several observations are made which lead to design recommendations for fatigue sizing of the slewing bearing screwed joints.