Experimental estimation of the load distribution in bearings by the method of caustics

The objective of this paper is the experimental estimation of the load distribution in roller-bearing by the metrhod of caustics. Contact problems have many practical and important applications¹. For the solution of such problems, besides mechanical analysis, the experimental method of caustics² can also be applied. The optical method of caustics is suitable for the experimental study of singularities in stress fields created either by discontinuities or by loading. Previously, caustics has been applied to the study of singular stress fields developed near concentrated or uniformly distributed loads which are applied along straight boundaries.^3,4 In this work, it is applied to study the load distribution in rollerbearings.