Overview of dynamic modelling and analysis of rolling element bearings with localized and distributed faults

Rolling element bearings (REBs) play a most critical role in various industrial machinery. A clearly and in-depth understanding of vibration characteristics of REBs is very helpful for condition monitoring and diagnosis applications for the machinery. This work presented a comprehensive review of dynamic modelling and analysis methods for predicting the vibration characteristics of REBs with and without localized and distributed faults. Main capabilities and limitations of those methods for both the localized and distributed faults have been described. Explanations for the generations of the bearing vibrations were also reviewed. A summary of the literature was given followed by the recommendations of current and future research works. Moreover, recent challenges, directions and implications in research works on the dynamic modelling and analysis methods of the localized and distributed faults in REBs have also been conducted.