Spherical Roller Bearings (SRBs) are now being used extensively in industries where there is a need for carrying high loads from rotating machinery. SRB’s capability to support the same load for the same shaft diameter by consuming less radial space, as compared to other bearings is one of the most useful characteristic of them. Their ability to carry loads in different axes is one other notable trait. These advantages make it necessary to study their behaviour. This study dealt with the response of SRB (with no lubrication) under a pure static load. In this model, non-linear Hertzian contact theory was used to analyse the contacts between rollers and raceways. The results from the methodology formulated were reproduced for generation of force-displacement curve using MATLAB. The curve generated shows the non-linear characteristics of the SRB under loading. Crowning of the rollers, material non linearity, etc leads to a non-linear behaviour of these bearings when loaded. The MATLAB output was used to model the rollers using spring elements in a Finite Element (FE) model. The developed FE model was validated by comparison with a reference paper and an existing SRB model, for which results were already available. The new model was found to be less complex than the previous model. The new model is also much more efficient for computational analysis purposes compared to existing bearing model

Full text: IJEIR_2253_FINAL.pdf