CHAPTER 8 DYNAMIC ANALYSIS OF HYDRODYNAMIC BEARING

In this chapter the analyses of the hydrodynamic bearings such as plane slider bearing
and journal bearing are discussed. Briefly different types of lubrications are described
and the mechanism of pressure development in the oil film is studied. The Petroffs
equation for a lightly loaded journal bearing is derived. The derivation of Reynolds
equation is carried out and it is applied to idealized plane slider bearing with fixed and
pivoted shoe and journal bearings.
Lubrication
Lubrication is the science of reducing friction by application of a suitable substance
called lubricant, between the rubbing surfaces of bodies having relative motion. The main
motive of using a lubricant is to reduce friction, to reduce or prevent wear and tear, to
carry away heat generated in friction and to protect against corrosion. The basic modes of
lubrication are thick and thin film lubrication.
Thick Film Lubrication:
Thick film lubrication describes a condition of lubrication, where two surfaces of bearing
in relative motion are completely separated by a film of fluid. Since there is no contact
between the surfaces, the properties of surface have little or no influence on the
performance of the bearing. The resistance to the relative motion arises from the viscous
resistance of the fluid. Therefore, the performance of the bearing is only affected by the
viscosity of the lubricant. Thick film lubrication is further divided into two groups:
hydrodynamic and hydrostatic lubrication.
Hydrodynamic Bearing: Hydrodynamic lubrication is defined as a system of lubrication
in which the supporting fluid film is created by the shape and relative motion of the
sliding surfaces.
The principal of hydrodynamic bearing is shown in fig.1. Initially the shaft is at rest (a)
and it sinks to the bottom of the clearance space under the action of load W. As the
journal starts to rotate, it will climb the bearing surface (b) and as the speed is further
increased, it will force the fluid into the wedge-shaped region (c).

142

(a)
(b)
(c)
Figure 1 Formation of Continuous Film in a Journal Bearing

Figure 2. Hydrodynamic Lubrication (Oil Wedge Region)

Since more and more fluid is forced into the wedge-shaped clearance space, pressure is
generated within the system. Fig.3 shows the pressure distribution around the periphery
of a journal.
Since, the pressure is created within the system due to rotation of the shaft, this type of
bearing is known as self acting bearing. The pressure generated supports the external load
W. This mode of lubrication is seen in bearings mounted on engines and centrifugal
pumps.

143

Figure 3 Pressure Distribution in Hydrodynamic Bearing

Hydrostatic Lubrication: Hydrostatic lubrication is defined as a system of lubrication in
which the load supporting fluid film, separating the two surfaces, is created by an
external source, like a pump, supplying sufficient fluid under pressure. Since the
lubricant is supplied under pressure, this type of bearing is called externally pressurized
bearing. Hydrostatic bearings are used on vertical turbo-generators, centrifuges and ball
mills.
Thin Film Lubrication:
Thin fluid lubrication, also known as boundary lubrication, is defined as a condition of
lubrication, where the lubricant film is relatively thin and there is partial metal to metal
contact. This mode of lubrication is seen in door hinges and machine tool slides. The
conditions of boundary lubrication are excessive load, insufficient surface area or oil
supply, low speed and misalignment.

Figure 4 Boundary Lubrication

144

The hydrodynamic bearing also operates under the boundary lubrication condition when
the speed is very low or when the load is excessive.
Under the extreme conditions of load and temperature, the fluid film gets completely
ruptured, direct contact between the two metallic surfaces takes place and thus, extreme
boundary lubrication exists.

Figure 5 Contacts at High Points (Extreme Boundary Lubrication)

The phenomenon of extreme boundary lubrication is based on the theory of hot spots.
These hot spots, also known as high spots are the spots on the metallic surfaces where the
welding of the two surfaces takes place, owing to extreme temperature conditions, which
is a consequence of the shearing action of the high points. However, due to the relative
motion between the two surfaces, the welding too gets ruptured. As a consequence of the
phenomenon of the high spots, occurring at extreme conditions of load and temperature,
the physical properties get severely damaged.
LIGHTLY LOADED JOURNAL BEARINGS:
The following assumptions are made while deriving the characteristic equations for the
lightly loaded journal bearings:
1.
2.
3.
4.

The radial load is almost zero.

Viscosity of the lubricant is very high.
Journal speed approaches very large values.
Film thickness is very small as compared to radius of the journal i.e. h <<< r.

145

Figure 6 Journal Bearing

Figure 7: Unwrapped Film

Fig.7 shows the unwrapped film. The length is 2r and the width is L into the plane of the
paper. Also, the film thickness is equal to the clearance i.e. h = C.
Now, we have
where N

U = 2 N ' and F = A
= journal speed
= shear stress acting on the fluid
= 2rL, area of the journal surface.

(1)

Assuming constant coefficient of viscosity of the fluid and from Newtons law, we have
U
(2)
=
h
2 rN '
(2a)
or
=
h
Hence,
4 N ' L 2 r 2
F=
C
Further, the frictional torque may be obtained as
146

(3)

4 N ' L 2 r 3
(4)
C
This equation is known as the Petroffs equation, for lightly loaded journal bearings.
T f = F .r =

The coefficient of friction may be obtained as

F
f =
W
We define unit bearing load P as the radial load per unit projected area.
W
P=
2rL
Hence, the coefficient of frictional is
N ' r
f = 2 2
P C

(5)

(6)

(7)

PRESSURE DEVELOPMENT IN THE OIL FILM:

Consider two parallel surfaces, one stationary and the other moving with uniform
velocity U, as shown in fig.8.

Figure 8 Two Parallel Surfaces in Motion

Here, we assume that the two surfaces are very large in a direction perpendicular to the
plane of motion and therefore, their velocity in this direction is zero. Since, the velocity
of the oil film varies uniformly from zero at the stationary surface ST to U at the moving
surface MN, therefore, the pressure developed in the oil film is zero. That is, the moving
surface cannot take any vertical load and even a small load is applied, the oil film will
squeeze out.

147

Consider another case similar to the previous case, the only difference being that here the
direction of motion of the moving surface is vertical and not horizontal. Due to the
motion of the surface MN, oil film is squeezed out and the velocity increases from zero at
the central section CC1 to a maximum at the outlet sections MS and NT. The distribution
of velocity is shown below.

Figure 9 Two Parallel Surfaces, One Stationary and the Other in Vertical Motion
We observe from the figure that the maximum velocities occur at the midpoints for each
cross-section. This type of velocity distribution occurs only if the maximum pressure is at
the central cross-section CC1, falling out to zero value at the outlet cross-sections MC and
NT. Such a kind of flow is known as pressure induced flow.
Lastly, consider another case similar to the first case, the only difference being that the
stationary surface here is inclined at an angle to the line of motion.

Figure10 Stationary Surface Inclined at an angle to the Line of Motion

148

The velocity distribution of the oil film is shown in fig.11(a).

Figure11 (a) Velocity Distribution of the Oil Film

Considering only unit thickness perpendicular into the plane of paper. Volume of fluid
entering the space is given by SMO and that leaving is given by NPT, with MO and NP
representing the velocities at the moving surface. Since some vertical load is applied,
therefore some amount of fluid is squeezed out of the space between the two plates. The
velocity distribution due to this pressure induced flow is shown in fig.11(b).

Figure11 (b) Velocity Distribution of the Oil Film

Fig.11(c) shows the resultant velocity distribution, thereby balancing the volume of fluid
entering and leaving the space between the two surfaces. Also, owing to pressure induced
flow, pressure is developed in the oil film with a maximum value at the cross-section
CC1, where such a flow is zero, as at the outer sections MS and NT. The pressure
distribution is also shown in fig.11(c).

149

Figure11 (c) Velocity Distribution of the Oil Film

DERIVATION OF REYNOLDS EQUATION:
The theory of hydrodynamic bearing is based on a differential equation derived by
Osborne Reynold. Reynolds equation is based on the following assumptions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

The lubricant obeys Newtons law of viscosity.

The lubricant is incompressible.
The inertia forces of the oil film are negligible.
The viscosity of the lubricant is constant.
The effect of curvature of the film with respect to film thickness is neglected. It is
assumed that the film is so thin that the pressure is constant across the film
thickness.
6. The shaft and bearing are rigid.
7. There is a continuous supply of lubricant.
An infinitesimally small element having dimensions dx, dy and dz is considered in the
analysis. u and v are the velocities in x and y direction. x is the shear stress along the x
direction while p is the fluid film pressure.

150

Figure 12 Converging Oil Film

Figure13 Infinitesimal Element in Equilibrium

On balancing the force acting in the x-direction, we get

d
dp

pdydz p + dx dydz + dxdz x + x dy dxdz = 0

dx
dy

d
dp

= x
dx
dy
From Newtons viscous flow, we have
du
x =
dy

(9)
(10)

(11)

where u is the velocity in the x-direction.

Hence,
u
dp
d
d 2u
= = 2
y
dx
dy
dy
151

(12)

d 2u 1 dp
=
dy 2 dx

(13)

du 1 dp
=
y + C1
dy dx

(14)

or
On integrating we get,

u=

1 dp 2
y + C1 y + C2
2 dx

(15)

The boundary conditions are:

At y = 0, u = U
At y = h, u = 0
On applying the boundary conditions, we obtain the constants as
C1 = U
1 dp
U
h
and C2 =
2 dx
h

(16.1)
(16.2)
(17)
(18)

Hence,
u=

1 dp 2
h y
y hy ) + U
(
2 dx
h

(19)

Now, considering the flow between the two surfaces ST and MN, where the distribution
of velocity for a section AB is represented.
Volume of fluid entering the element = udydz + vdxdz
u
u

Volume of fluid discharging = u + dx dydz + v + dy dxdz

x

y
On applying the conservation of mass, we get
v
u
=
y
x

(20)
(21)

(22)

Substituting the value of u and on rearranging, we get

dv =
y =h

y =h

dv =

y =0

U (h y)
1 dp 2
y hy ) +
(

dy
h
x dx

1 dp

x dx ( y

y =0

hy ) +

U (h y)
dy = 0
h

(23)
(24)

On simplifying we get,

d dp h3 d Uh

=0
dx dx 12 dx 2
152

(25)

The above equation can be rearranged as

d 3 dp
dh
h
= 6 U

dx dx
dx

(26)

The equation represents the Reynolds equation in two dimensions, expressing the
pressure gradient in a converging oil film as a function of film thickness, viscosity of the
lubricant and the relative velocity of the moving surface.
IDEALIZED PLANE SLIDER BEARING (Fixed Shoe):
Consider a plane slider bearing with a fixed shoe.

Figure 14. Plane Slider Bearing With Fixed Shoe of Length L

Figure 15. Film Thickness and Inclination Angle

153

Let
Length of the shoe = L
Surface velocity (uniform) = U
Force acting = F
External load acting vertically = W
Width of the moving surface = w
Thickness of the film (at entrance) = h1
Thickness of the film (at exit) = h2
Angle between the fixed shoe and the x-axis =
The thickness of the oil film at any distance can be expressed as
h h
(27)
h = h1 1 2 x
L
Defining some non-dimensional terns
h h
h
x
(28)
= 1 2 , a = 2 and X =
L
L
L
Hence, the expression for the thickness of the oil film at any cross-section can be reexpressed as
h = LX + h1
h1 = La L

But

(29)
(30)

Hence, the oil film thickness can be expressed as

h = L ( X + a )

(31)

From Reynolds equation, we have

d 3 dp
dh
h
= 6 U

dx dx
dx

(26)

h3

dp
= 6 Uh + C1
dx

(32)

or

dp
1 B
= 6 U 2 + 3
dx
h
h

(33)

On integration, we get

where B =

B1
6U

From equations (28), (31) and (33), we get

154


dp 6U
1
B
=
+

2
2
dx
L ( a + X )
L ( a + X )

dX
BdX
+

2
2
L ( a + X )
( a + X )
On integrating equation (35), we get
or dp =

p=

6U
L

6U
dX
BdX
+
+C

2
2
L ( a + X ) 2 L ( a + X )

The boundary conditions are:

At X = 0, p = 0
At X = 1, p = 0
On substituting equation (29) in equation, we get
6U
C=
L ( 2a )

(34)

(35)

(36)

(37.1)
(37.2)
(38)

a
(39)
2a
Hence, the pressure distribution along the idealized plane slider bearing can be expressed
as
B = 2 La

p=

6 X (1 X )

2
L ( 2a )( a + X )

(40)

The load carrying capacity can be expressed as

L

W = wpdx

(41)

W = wLpdX

(42)

On substituting the value of p from equation (40), we get

W = wU

6
X X2
dX
2a 0 ( a + X 2 )
1

(43)

On integrating, the load carrying capacity can be expressed as

W = 6 U

w a
2a
ln
+
2
a 2a

155

(44)

For calculating the total frictional force acting on the moving surface, the shear forces
acting on the elemental areas need to be determined.
n

F = i Ai or F = dA
i =1

Now, from Newtons law, we have

x =

du
dy

where u is the velocity, which can be expressed as

1 dp 2
h y
u=
y hy ) + U
(
2 dx
h

(11)

(19)

Differentiating equation (19) w.r.t. y, we get

du 1 dp 2 y h U
=

dy dx 2 h
On substituting LdX = x and equation (45) in equation (11), we get

(45)

1 dp h 2 y u
(46)
+ U
L dx 2 h
On differentiating equation (40) w.r.t. X and simplifying, the pressure gradient obtained is

x =

dp 6 U ( a + X 2aX )
=

dX
L ( 2a )( a + X )3
Hence, from equations (45), (47) and (11), the shear force acting at any point is

x =

(47)

U 3 ( a + X 2aX ) ( a + X ) 2 y
1

(48)
+

L ( 2a )( a + X )3
L
a + X )
(

On the moving surface y = 0, and hence

[ x ] y =0 = 0 =

U 3 ( a + X 2aX )
1

L ( 2a )( a + X )2 ( a + X )

(49)

Hence, the total frictional force F0 acting on the moving surface is

L

F0 = w 0 dx = 0 dx

(50)

On substituting equation (49) in equation (50) and integrating, we get

4 a 6
F0 = Lw ln
+

a 2a
The coefficient of friction, f is

156

(51)

 4 a 6
Lw ln
+
a 2a
F0

=
f =
W
6 Uw a
2
ln
+
2

a 2a

(52)

a
2
2 ( 2a ) ln
3
a
or
f =
(53)
a
3 ( 2a ) ln
+ 6
a
Also, the resultant pressure distribution obtained must be equal and opposite to the
vertically applied load. Using the Varigons theorem to determine the location of the
centre of pressure,

or

or

or

lW = xwpdx = L2 w pXdX

(54)

1
X 2 (1 X )
6
lW = ULw
dX

2
2a 0 ( a + X )

(55)

a 5
3
ln

a
a

+ 3a
(
)(
)

6
a 2

lW = ULw

2a

a 5
a
3
a
ln

+ 3a
(
)(
)

a 2

l = L
a
2

( 2a ) ln
2

(56)

(57)

IDEALIZED PLANE SLIDER BEARING (Pivoted Shoe):

The principal characteristics of a plane slider bearing depend on the geometry of the
bearing, lubricant viscosity and the speed of the moving member.

In case of a plane slider bearing with fixed shoe, if the load increases beyond the
capacity, the bearing may cease to operate under hydrodynamic conditions. To improve
the performance of the bearing under such conditions i.e. to improve the stability of the
bearing, the normal practice is to pivot the shoe so that the inclination of the fixed
member is changed automatically to suit the load conditions. Moreover, the difficulty in
manufacturing a very thin fluid film in the plane slider bearing is also overcome.

157

Figure16 Location of the Pivot Point of the Shoe

Consider the following equation

r=

h1
1 =
h2
a

h2 r
L

(58)
(59)

Using equation (59), the equations for the performance of the plane slider bearing with
pivoted shoe can be obtained as

W=

or

6 UwL2
h22

W=

1
2
2 ln (1 + r )

r ( r + 2)
r

6UwL2
gw ( r )
h22

158

(44a.1)

(44a.2)

1
2
where g w ( r ) = 2 ln (1 + r )

r ( r + 2)
r

F0 =
or

UwL 4
h2

6
r ln (1 + r ) r + 2

F0 =

UwL
h2

g F0 ( r )

(51a.1)
(51a.2)

6
4
where g F0 ( r ) = ln (1 + r )
r + 2
r

(1 + r )( 3 + r ) ln (1 + r ) r 2 r + 3

l = L
2
r ( r + 2 ) ln (1 + r ) 2r

f =

h2
L

(57a)

1 g F0 ( r )

6 gw ( r )

(60)

h2
g f (r )
L

(60a)

f =

The shoe has tangential as wall as radial degrees of freedom. The friction force at the
pivot junction Fp , balances with fluid friction of the shoe. Moreover, the friction force
and the normal reaction together balance the vertical thrust. Thus, the value of r changes,
automatically, to meet the equilibrium conditions.
PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION IN JOURNAL BEARING:

Consider a full journal bearing as shown in figure below.

159

Figure 17: Idealized Full Journal Bearing

Figure.18 Unwrapped Film

Let
Radius of the journal = r
Radius of the bearing = r + c
Clearance = c
Eccentricity = e
Vertical Load = W
Angle of Inclination of the vertical load =
h = CA CB = r + c CB

(61)

From CBE and C ' BE , we have

CB =

BE
r sin
=
sin
sin

Since, =

160

(62)

CB =

r
( sin cos cos sin )
sin

(62a)

From C ' DC and C ' BD , we have

e sin = r sin

(63)

e2
cos = 1 2 sin 2
r

(63a)

On substituting the values of sin and cos from equations (63) and (63a) in equation
(62a), we get

CB = r 2 e2 sin 2 e cos

(64)

Substituting equation (64) in equation (61), the final expression for film thickness as a
function of is obtained as

h = r + c r 2 e2 sin 2 + e cos
On neglecting e 2 sin 2 in comparison with r2, and further using
e
n=
c
where n is called the eccentricity ratio, the equation (65) can be simplified as

h = c (1 + n cos )

(65)

(66)

(67)

On substituting x = r in Reynolds equation, we get

d
d

dh
3 dp
=
h
6

U
d
d

(26a)

On integrating, we get
h3

dp
dh
= 6 Ur
d = 6 Urh + K
d
d

(68)

or

K1
dp 6Ur
1
= 2
+
2
3
d
c (1 + n cos ) c (1 + n cos )

(69)

or

p=

K1d
6Ur
d
+

c 2 (1 + n cos )2 c (1 + n cos )3

(70)

Further, we have
p =0 = p = 2 p = 2 p =0 = 0

(71)

which gives
p=

6Ur
c2

= 2

=0

K1
1
+
d = 0

2
3
(1 + n cos ) c (1 + n cos )

161

(72)

 = 2

K1
c

or

(1 + n cos )

(1 + n cos )

=0
= 2

(73)

=0

On simplifying, we get
K1 =

2c ( n 2 1)

(74)

n2 + 2

dp
= 0 when K1 = h = c (1 + n cos )
d
and the minimum film thickness hm at minimum and maximum pressure is obtained as

From equation (69), it can be easily observed that

hm = ( h ) p = max = ( h ) p = min = K1 =

2c (1 n 2 )

(75)
n2 + 2
Correspondingly, the value of where the maximum and minimum pressured occur is
given by
3n
(76)
cos = 2
n +2
Substituting the value of K1 in equation (72), the pressure at any angle from the radial
line is given by

or

p = p0 +

hm
6Ur
1

d
c 2 0 (1 + n cos )2 c (1 + n cos )3

p p0 =

6UrA2
c2

( A + cos )
0

hm A
1
d
3
c ( A + cos )

(77)

(78)

On solving, we get
6 Ur n ( 2 + n cos ) sin

p p0 = 2 2
c ( n + 2 ) (1 + n cos )2

162

(79)

Figure 19 Pressure Distribution in the Film of a Journal

CHARACTERISTIC OF JOURNAL BEARING:
Considering the equilibrium of forces in y-direction, we get
2

( Lrp sin ) d W sin = 0

(80)

Since, for an idealized bearing, = 900, the load carrying capacity is given by
2

W = Lr p sin d

(81)

Substituting the value for p and solving, we get

W=
Choosing N ' =

12 r 2ULn

c 2 ( n2 + 2 ) 1 n2

(82)

U
W
and P =
, we get
2 r
2 Lr
2
2
2
'
r N ( n + 2) 1 n
=

12 2 n
c P
2

(83)

r N
The quantity
is called the Sommerfeld number, which is a function of the
c P
eccentricity ratio (figure 20).
'

163

Figure 20 Eccentricity Ratio (n) v/s Sommerfeld Number

The frictional force on the moving surface can be determined by the summation of the
elementary shear stresses on the Journal surface.
From equation (53), we have
du 1 dp 2 y h U
=

dy dx 2 h

u
Now, y = 0 represents the journal surface. Substituting for in the previous
y y =0
equation, we get

J = ( x ) y =0 =

U h dp
+
h 2 dx

(84)

Substituting for x = r and dx = rd , we get

J =

U
h

h dp
2 r d

164

(85)

Substituting the values of the film thickness h and the pressure gradient

dp
from
d

equations (75) and (78), the frictional force on the Journal surface J is obtained as

6 (1 n 2 )
4

J =
2
c (1 + n cos ) ( n + 2 ) (1 + n cos )2

(86)

The total frictional force may be obtained as

FJ = J d =

6 (1 n 2 )
4
d
Lr
2
2
1
cos
c
n

+
(
)

2
1
cos
+
+
n
n

(
)
(
)
0

(87)

On integrating and simplifying, we get

FJ =

2
ULr 4 (1 + 2n )

( n2 + 2 ) 1 n2

(88)

The non-dimensional form of the equation can be expressed as

2
2
r N ' ( n + 2) 1 n
=
c Pf
4 (1 + 2n 2 )

where U = 2 N ' and Pf =

FJ
.
2rL

165

(89)

Sommerfeld Number
Figure 21
(Horizontal Line represents

r N'
v/s Sommerfeld Number
c Pf

r N'
1
=
0.0506 , for lightly loaded bearings)
2 2
c Pf

From figure 21, it can be observed that the value for

r N'
remains constant for
c Pf

Sommerfeld number greater than 0.15. In other words, the value of the Frictional Force
FJ is independent of n for Sommerfeld values greater than 0.15. Hence,

FJ =

4 2 Lr 2 N '
for S > 0.15
c

(90)
Equation (90) is similar to the Petroffs equation (while Petroffs equation, the effect of n
is neglected), applicable for lightly loaded bearings.
Substituting n = 0 in the above equation, we get

166

r N'
1
=
= 0.0506
2 2
c Pf

For an idealized journal bearing, the coefficient of friction can be found as

2
ULr 4 (1 + 2n )

F
f = J =
W

(n

+ 2 ) 1 n2

12 r 2ULn

c2 ( n2 + 2) 1 n2

c 1 + 2n 2
=
r 3n

(91)

Rearranging the above equation,

1 + 2n 2
r
f =

c
3n
The equation (92) shows that

(92)

r
f is a function of n only.
c

Now, multiplying both sides of equation (7), the relationship of

r
f with Sommerfeld
c

number of a lightly loaded bearing can be obtained as

2

r
2 r N '
f = 2

c
c P

(93)

Exercise problems
1. Obtain the Pressure distribution (p v/s x) plot and determine the maximum pressure
developed for a plane slider bearing with the following data:
Length of the Bearing
10cm
Width of the Bearing
= 6 cm
Velocity
=4 m/s
Viscosity of the lubricant
= 100 cp
Minimum Fluid Film Thickness
= 0.002 cm
Maximum Fluid Film Thickness
= 0.006 cm
2. In a journal bearing, diameter of the bearing = 3 cm, length of the bearing = 6 cm, speed =
2000 rpm, radial clearance = 0.002 cm, inlet pressure 0.3 Mpa. Location of the inlet hole = 300 0 ,
viscosity = 25 cp, eccentricity ratio = 0.1. Radial load = 500 N and Sommerfeld number is
calculated to be 0.1688. Find friction torque on the journal, coefficient of friction and power loss
and load carrying capacity.

167

168