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This paper presents a numerical calculation procedure for determinationof subsurface crack propagation in a large slewing ball bearing. In the first step, amaximum contact force on the bearing raceway is obtained by means of analyticalexpressions, where the Hertzian contact theory is used. In the second step a 3D finiteelement model of the raceway segment and the contact load is simulated, and thesubsurface stresses and strains are obtained. At the time being the contact load on theraceway is approximated by Hertzian pressure distribution as calculated in theprevious step. Depth dependent elasto-plastic material properties are used in the finiteelement model of the raceway. In the third step a submodel with the elliptical crack ismade and the crack intensity factors are calculated. The linear elastic fracturemechanics theory is used for this purpose. Due to complexity of a problem at this verymoment the finite element analysis does not provide sufficient results. However, itseams that in near future an improved and fine-tuned finite element model will besuitable for characterization of subsurface crack propagation analysis.