Three-dimensional finite element analysis of dovetail attachments with and without crowning

The stress analysis of dovetail attachments presents some challenges. These stem from the high stress gradients present, the contact inequalities attending conforming contact, and the nonlinearities inherent in Coulomb friction laws. Obtaining converged contact stresses in the presence of these phenomena is demanding, especially in three dimensions. In Beisheim and Sinclair (2003, ASME J. Turbomach., 125, pp. 372-379), a submodeling approach with finite elements is employed to meet these challenges when friction is not present. Here we extend this approach to treat contact when friction is present. Converged stresses are obtained by using two successive submodels. Comparing these stresses with two-dimensional analysis elucidates some of the truly three-dimensional aspects of the stress analysis of dovetail attachments. Further comparisons of contact stresses when crowning is added indicate the possible alleviation of fretting fatigue that may be afforded by this means.