Macroscopic fretting variables in a splined coupling under combined torqueand axial load

A three-dimensional study of frictional contact in a helical splined coupli ng for the assessment of macroscopic fretting variables is presented. The s tudy is based on an experimentally validated finite element model of the co upling under combined torque and axial loads. The effect of axial profile m odification for reduced contact stresses in spline teeth and the effect of friction coefficient are considered. The motivation for the work is the nee d for representative information about fretting variable distributions in s plined couplings for the development and application of simplified fretting test configurations.