Abstract: The general fatigue theory of rolling bearings is unable to consider the failure due to skidding and skewing of rolling elements, which often occurs in high-speed roller bearings, According to the hydrodynamic and EHD lubrication theory, this paper establishes the interacting model among rolling elements. The dynamic model of roller bearings is also established according to the second Newton law. By means of the software provided in this paper, it is possible to calculate the load distribution, oilfilm thickness and fatigue life of roller bearings, and to simulate dynamically the skidding of rollers and cage, the skewing and axial motion of rollers. Hence, a new effective tool of design and failure analysis is provided for high-speed roller bearings.

Key words: roller bearings, lubrication, dynamics, simulation