MSD Mechanical Sciences Discussions MSD Mech. Sci. Discuss. Göttingen, Germany 10.5194/ms-2026-192 A Coupled Crystal Plasticity-Phase-Field Damage Model for Integrated CAD/CAE-Based Fatigue Design of Rolling Bearings Ji Chao https://orcid.org/0009-0001-2640-5749 1 Du Weiqi 1 Zhao Yandong 2 Wu Yibin 1 School of Mechanical Engineering and Intelligent Manufacturing, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China Ningbo Delikebei Technology Co., Ltd, Ningbo 315600, China 03 11 2026 2026 1 28 Copyright: © 2026 Chao Ji et al. 2026 This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this licence, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ This article is available from https://ms.copernicus.org/preprints/ms-2026-192/ The full text article is available as a PDF file from https://ms.copernicus.org/preprints/ms-2026-192/ms-2026-192.pdf

This study proposes an integrated multiscale method for rolling contact fatigue (RCF) life prediction of rolling bearings. A dimension-chain mapping drives parametric reconstruction and macroscale contact analysis. The contact parameters are transferred to a grain-scale crystal plasticity-phase-field model as a moving Hertzian load. A three-layer solution framework with a cycle-jump scheme calculates damage evolution. Results show that an elliptical Al2O3 inclusion promotes crack initiation and significantly reduces the predicted life. A larger rolling-element diameter extends the life, while a larger raceway curvature coefficient or positive radial clearance shortens the life.

 National Natural Science Foundation of China 52505154 12432006