Crack propagation behavior in planet gears

Abstract

Aim of this work is to investigate crack propagation paths in planet gears for aerospace applications in order to find how gears parameters may affect the crack path and, consequently, may provide information about gears design to avoid catastrophic failures. The research activity has been carried on by means of extended finite element models (XFEM). In particular, the effect of rim thickness (expressed as backup ratio) and crack initiation point on crack paths has been considered. Obtained results have been compared with those available for standard gears, to highlight the different behavior in crack propagation.