Bearing Spall Size Estimation Under Varying Speed Conditions
##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.main##
##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.sidebar##
Abstract
Accurate estimation of spall size in rolling element bearings is critical for effective diagnostics and prognostics in rotating machinery. Traditional methods often struggle with generalization due to noise and speed variability. This work addresses these limitations by proposing a novel approach that leverages trends in vibration measurements over time and introduces a speed-normalized condition indicator. Building on prior work, we model the bearing fault signal as a periodic pulse wave and derive a Fourier-based representation that links harmonic magnitudes to spall size. We then introduce a normalization technique using harmonic speed ratios to eliminate the influence of the system’s transfer function. Experimental validation using controlled lab data confirms the method’s ability to preserve signal extrema and improve generalizability over different speeds, offering a promising path toward scalable, real-world bearing health monitoring.
How to Cite
##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.details##
Bearings, Spall size, Speed fluctations, Vibration, remaining useful life
Bublil, T., Taal, C., Maljaars, B., Klein, R., & Bortman, J. (2024). Labeling algorithm for outer-race faults in bearings based on load signal. In Phm society european conference (Vol. 8, pp. 7-7).
Bublil, T., Taal, C., Maljaars, B., Matania, O., Klein, R., & Bortman, J. (2025). Experimental study on condition indicators for severity estimation of growing spalls in bearings. Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing, 236, 113019.
Epps, I. K. (1991). An investigation into vibrations excited by discrete faults in rolling element bearings. University of Canterbury. Mechanical Engineering.
Kotzalas, M. N., & Harris, T. A. (2001). Fatigue failure progression in ball bearings. J. Trib., 123(2), 238-242.
Liefstingh, M., Taal, C., Restrepo, S. E., & Azarfar, A. (2021). Interpretation of deep learning models in bearing fault diagnosis. In Annual conference of the phm society (Vol. 13).
Mason, J. K., Trivedi, H. K., & Rosado, L. (2017). Spall propagation characteristics of refurbished vim-var aisi m50 angular contact bearings. Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention, 17(3), 426-439.
Rosado, L., Forster, N. H., Thompson, K. L., & Cooke, J. W. (2009). Rolling contact fatigue life and spall propagation of aisi m50, m50nil, and aisi 52100, part i: Experimental results. Tribology Transactions, 53(1), 29-41.
Sawalhi, N., & Randall, R. (2011). Vibration response of spalled rolling element bearings: Observations, simulations and signal processing techniques to track the spall size. Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing, 25(3), 846-870.
Zhang, H., Borghesani, P., Smith, W. A., Randall, R. B., Shahriar, M. R., & Peng, Z. (2021). Tracking the natural evolution of bearing spall size using cyclic natural frequency perturbations in vibration signals. Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing, 151, 107376.
Zhang, S., Zhang, S., Wang, B., & Habetler, T. G. (2020). Deep learning algorithms for bearing fault diagnostics—a comprehensive review. IEEE Access, 8, 29857-29881.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.
The Prognostic and Health Management Society advocates open-access to scientific data and uses a Creative Commons license for publishing and distributing any papers. A Creative Commons license does not relinquish the author’s copyright; rather it allows them to share some of their rights with any member of the public under certain conditions whilst enjoying full legal protection. By submitting an article to the International Conference of the Prognostics and Health Management Society, the authors agree to be bound by the associated terms and conditions including the following:
As the author, you retain the copyright to your Work. By submitting your Work, you are granting anybody the right to copy, distribute and transmit your Work and to adapt your Work with proper attribution under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States license. You assign rights to the Prognostics and Health Management Society to publish and disseminate your Work through electronic and print media if it is accepted for publication. A license note citing the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License as shown below needs to be placed in the footnote on the first page of the article.
First Author et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.