CFD analysis of journal bearing hydrodynamic lubrication by Bingham lubricant

Journal-bearing performance characteristics, such as relative eccentricity, attitude angle, pressure distribution, friction coefficient, lubricant flow rate, and the angle of maximum pressure, are derived and presented for several length over diameter (L/D) bearing ratios and dimensionless shear numbers T0 of the Bingham fluid. The above diagrams are presented in the form of Raimondi and Boyd charts, and can easily be used in the design and analysis of journal bearings lubricated with Bingham fluids. The core profile formed in the bearing is also calculated and presented for various bearing eccentricities, L/D ratios, and shear numbers T0, and found to be in very good agreement with previous experimental and theoretical investigations. The analysis presented here leads to charts that could be used by the designer engineer to design smart journal bearings.