Numerical Modeling of Distributed Inhomogeneities and Their Effect on Rolling-Contact Fatigue Life

Abstract

The present work proposes a new efficient numerical solution method based on Eshelby's equivalent inclusion method (EIM) to study the influence of distributed inhomogeneities on the contact of inhomogeneous materials. Benchmark comparisons with the results obtained with an existing numerical method and the finite element method (FEM) demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed solution method. An effective influence radius is defined to quantify the scope of influence for inhomogeneities, and the biconjugate gradient stabilized method (Bi-CGSTAB) is introduced to determine the eigenstrains of a large number of inclusions efficiently. Integrated with a rolling-contact fatigue (RCF) life prediction model, the proposed numerical solution is applied to investigate the RCF life of (TiB + TiC)/Ti-6Al-4V composites, and the results are compared with those of a group of RCF tests, revealing that the presence of the reinforcements causes reduction in the RCF lives of the composites. The comparison illustrates the capability of the proposed solution method on RCF life prediction for inhomogeneous materials.