In 2001, David and Handschuh [20] investigated the effect of this moving load on
crack trajectories. The objective of this work was to study the effect of the moving gear
tooth load on crack propagation predictions. A finite element model of a single tooth was
used to analyze the stress, deformation and fracture in gear teeth when subjected to
dynamic loading. At different points on the tooth surface impulsive loads were applied.
Moving loads normal to the tooth profile were studied. Even effective designs have the
possibility of gear cracks due to fatigue. In addition, truly robust designs consider not
only crack initiation, but crack propagation trajectories. As an example, crack trajectories
that propagate through the gear tooth are the preferred mode of failure compared to
propagation through the gear rim. Rim failures would lead to catastrophic events and
should be avoided. Analysis tools that predict crack propagation paths can be a valuable
aid to the designer to prevent such catastrophic failures. Using weighting function
techniques to estimate gear tooth stress intensity factors, analytical methods have been
developed [53]. Numerical techniques such as the boundary element method and the
finite element method have also been studied [54]. Based on stress intensity factors, and
fatigue crack growth, gear life predictions have been investigated [55]. The gear crack
trajectory predictions have been addressed in a few studies [56]. From publications on
gear crack trajectory predictions, the analytical methods have been used in numerical
form (finite or boundary element methods) while solving a static stress problem.
2.2 Models of Gear System Dynamics
The current models can predict shaft torsional vibration, shaft bending stiffness,
gear tooth bending stiffness, bearings stiffness, etc. The models of gear system dynamics
include the flexibility of the other parts as well as the tooth compliance. The flexibility of