An Application of the Finite Element Method to EHD Lubrication

Abstract

This paper is the literary property of the American Society of Lubrication Engineers. The Press may summarize freely from this manuscript after presentation, citing source; however, publication of material constituting more than 20 percent of the manuscript shall be construed as a violation of the Society's rights and subject to appropriate legal action. Manuscripts not to be published by the Society will be released in writing for publication by other sources. Statements and opinions advanced in papers are understood to be individual expressions of the author(s) and not those of the American Society of Lubrication Engineers.

A design solution of the isothermal EHD problem for rollers is developed, in which the elasticity relationships are introduced using the Finite Element Method. An iterative technique is used to obtain the simultaneous solutions of the two-dimensional Reynolds Equation with the elasticity equations, for a lubricant modeled by an exponential pressure viscosity relationship. The problem of solution convergence is solved by recognizing that an elliptical pressure distribution predominates in the contact zone and by introducing a simplified relationship between integrated Reynolds solution for rigid rollers and that for the elastic case. The method of modeling the rollers using finite elements is described. This analysis represents a simple tool for designers, where the minimum oil film thickness can be specified, and the corresponding load capacity of the bearing determined, for any given speed, material, and lubricant properties. Comparison with published test data indicates that this technique predicts bearing capacity fairly well as a first order approximation.

Presented at the 31st Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May 10–13, 1976

Notes

Presented at the 31st Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May 10–13, 1976