Peter Große is a Senior Researcher in the Group Drivetrain Technology at Fraunhofer IWES. His work focuses on the simulation of drivetrains and test benches for wind turbines. After studying Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in Automotive Engineering at HTW Dresden, he gained experience in the field of numerical simulation and structural analysis. Since joining Fraunhofer IWES in 2024, he has been conducting research on the detailed FEM-based contact modeling of main bearing units for wind turbines. Even in his free time, he enjoys working on simulations, programming, and issues related to fatigue strength.
This article explains what ring creep is, why it occurs in large wind turbine bearings, how recent research helps us to understand it better, and what this means for design, manufacturing, and operation.
