Testing of bearing design

The research work in MarinRes is at present emphasizing the development of prediction models for Rolling Contact Fatigue (RCF) in large bearings and advanced models for fatigue life predictions of welded steel joints.

The testing of a scaled main bearing for a turbine generator is starting the first week of January 2026 at the Fraunhofer IWES laboratory in Hamburg. The bearing design concept is developed by Optigen in Barcelona. MarinRes has developed a new prediction model for Rolling Contact Fatigue (RCF). The objective of the testing is to support the material selections made, and to verify the new methodology for the prediction of RCF damage. Creadis has designed the test set-up shown on the picture below.

By courtesy of Creadis