machine design, Vol.5(2013) No.1, ISSN 1821-1259 pp.

23-30
*Correspondence Authors Address: Polytechnics University of Tirana, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Sheshi Mather Teresa-
4, Tirana, Albania, kbode@fim.edu.al


Original scientific paper

THE IMPACT OF BEARING DEFORMATION IN THE FIELD OF PRESSURE AND ITS
HYDRODINAMIC CHARACTERISTICS

Koo BODE
1, *
- Odhisea KOA
1
- Ilirian KONOMI
2
1
Polytechnic University of Tirana, Faculty Mechanical Engineering, Dep. of Mechanics, Tirana, Albania
2
Polytechnic University of Tirana, Faculty Civil Engineering, Dep. Of Hydrotechnics, Tirana, Albania


Received (18.01.2013); Revised (13.03.2013); Accepted (19.03.2013)

Abstract: This article aims to make use of a model developed in MATHCAD [12] for studying the impact of the
deformation field of bearing material on the field of pressure and hydrodynamic characteristics of hydrodynamic
bearings. The study and analysis of the problem shows that the deformation of the bearing as a phenomenon can not be
neglected in the study of static and dynamic behavior of a rotating system as a whole. The built algorithm combines
simultaneous solution of elastic and hydrodynamic problem and allows the study and analysis of a number of
parameters that characterize the stiffness and the pressure field of hydrodynamic bearing. Adoption of the solution
regarding plane elasticity theory with complex numbers allows efficient use of this solution in the study of the influence
of deformation of the coating layer of the bearing. A model built on this basis has greater efficiency than analog models
calculation (FEM methods) in terms of simplicity and speed of getting the results.

Key words: hydrodynamic and elastic problem for circular ring

1. INTRODUCTION

The hydrodynamic theory equations [1] allow us to write
the characteristics of a contact in cases when the
hydrodynamic loading operations are practically
insensitive to the elements in contact. When work
pressures are intense, thus a characteristic for high speed
rotating systems there happen contact geometry changes
that can not be ignored. The latter significantly influence
the hydrodynamic lubrication because the lubricating
layer thickness and contact surface deformations are
roughly of the same order. In this case additional
equations are needed that allow the calculation of the
elastic deformations on the contact surface. The solution
that reflects this effect and provides mutual connection
fluid - structure, is obtained only based on the
simultaneous usage of the hydrodynamic lubrication
equations and linear elasticity equations through an
iterative process. The generalized results are presented by
variables without units.

2. SOLUTION OF ELASTO -
HYDRODYNAMIC PROBLEM

Solution of this problem is made accepting that fluid
viscosity is independent of temperature. Equations
necessary to solve this problem are:

The hydrodynamic equation for fluid flow.
Linear elasticity equations.
Law of fluid pressure - viscosity dependence

The solution to the elastic-hydrodynamic problem for a
random couple is obtained numerically by simulating the
first two equations by means of an iterative process.
2.1. Geometry of bearing

The geometric parameters of bearing are shown in figure
1.
b
R e R
c
represent respectively the radius of shaft and
of the non-deformed bearing , and t is its elastic layer
thickness. (Fig 1)
















Fig.1. Geometry of couple

Lets consider a fixed coordinative system xoy. Relative
to it, the shaft is rotated with an angular velocity e.
Outer loading

W is constant in size and direction. The

direction: the center of the ring-bearing axis is determined
by the angle |, in such a way that ( ) r W ,
0
= | .

2.2. Calculation of pressure field

The pressure field is calculated integrating the Reynolds
equation [1]. For a bearing with ratio 4 (
D
L
, accepting
Koo Bode, Odhisea Koa, Ilirian Konomi: The Impact of Bearing Deformation in the Field of Pressure And Its Hydrodinamic Characteristics;
Machine Design, Vol.5(2013) No.1, ISSN 1821-1259; pp. 23-30

24
, x y = = 0 0 and

U
rc
= 0, the Reynolds equation in
variables without units is written:
( ) ( )
( )
c|
c
c
c
c
c
c|
c
cu
c
rc
z
rc
x
rc
U H
z
P
K
U H
z L
R P
k
U H
+
=
(
(

+
|
.
|

\
|
+
(

+
0
3
0
2
0
2
1
(1)
For the case when the bearing length is greater in
comparison to its diameter
L
D
)4,, the above equation
is written as follows:

( ) ( )

2
1
0
3
0
cu
c
cu
c
cu
c
rc
x
rc
U H P
k
U H +
=
(
(

+

where: u c cos 1
0
+ = H dhe
C
U
U
rc
rc
= (2)

For solving the equation (1) and (2), the method of finite
difference method is used. In the circular direction it is
applied the division by 6 while in the axial direction is
applied the network with 10 divisions. The above solution
ensures accuracy in the calculation of the pressure.

The requirements for a more dense network are linked
with the convergence problems during the simulation
calculations. For this purpose, in the literature there are
recommendations on the density of separating network [4]

2.3. Calculation of displacement field caused by
hydrodynamic action

Calculation of the displacement field in bearing surface is
based on the following assumptions:

Hypothesis of small deformations.
Hypothesis of plan deformations.

The first hypothesis can be verified with the help of the
results obtained. The displacements in any case remain
much smaller in relation to the thickness of the elastic
layer.
The method used to calculate the displacement depends
on the problem studied. In the case of a long bearing,
4 )
D
L
, the problem is one-dimensional and for calculating
the displacement, two models are used:

Analytical model.
Thin layer model.

For bearings with finite length, 1 ~
D
L
the pressure field
varies both in the axial and circular direction. To calculate
the displacement field, the thin layer model is applied for
the two dimensional case. This is treated in the following
paragraph. For that purpose we make use of the relations
that allow the calculation of the displacement field of
bearing interior surface according to the solution of the
plan case of the elasticity theory using complex numbers
introduced by Solomon [8] and then developed further
more by Villechaise [9].

2.3.1. Application of the principle of superposing

Tangential displacements have a negligible impact on
changing the geometry of the contact of the couple
bearing-shaft. Therefore the terms representing their
effect are neglected and only the simplified model of
equation for calculating the radial displacement are taken
into consideration. These equations can be written [8]:
( ) ( ) {
( ) | ( ) 0 | 0 o
o v
k k G G H
G H C U
k k
Nt
k
k k k
d c rc
sin cos ' 2
1
2
1
' '
1
0 0 0
+ + + +
+ ' + + =

=

(3)
where N
t
represents the number of terms of the Fourier
series and ' ' o |
k k
, , are Fourier coefficients of pressure
distribution . They are presented (3)
( )
}
)
`

=
)
`

'
'
t
u
u
u
u
t |
o
2
sin
cos 1
o
k
k
d
k
k
P (4)
The sign (-) represents the sign of the radial stress and
pressure. The integrals (4) allow to calculate (2 N
t
+1)
coefficients. To integrate the trapezium method is used.
The terms number N
t
depends on the number M used
for the divisions in circular direction of the bearing.
Thus, for an odd number of divisions N
t
is M/2 and
expression (4) is written:

=
)
`

=
)
`

'
'
1
0
sin
cos
2
M
i
i
i
i
k
k
k
k
P
M u
u
|
o
ku, ,...., 1 , 0 = k Nt , and
M
t
u
2
i
= . (5)
Since the geometry of the bearing is axi-symmetrical, the
displacement calculations are made using the principle of
superposing. In this case, we make use of the recognition
of the displacement field on the bearing surface for a
pressure unit, which operates at a given point. Lets
present in a more detail manner this model: Let o
i
j
be the
radial displacement of the point i, caused by the unit
pressure, applied in the joint j, Fig 2.

If pressure P
j

is applied at this point, the radial
displacement is given: ( )
j
j rc
P i U
1
o = . Considering the
symmetry it is accepted:
0
1
=
i
j
i
o o - 0 > j i and
0
j i M
j
i +
= o o for 0 ( j i .

The radial displacement relation is generalized [8]:
( )

=
=
1
0
M
j
j
i j rc
P i U o

Koo Bode, Odhisea Koa, Ilirian Konomi: The Impact of Bearing Deformation in the Field of Pressure And Its Hydrodinamic Characteristics;
Machine Design, Vol.5(2013) No.1, ISSN 1821-1259; pp. 23-30


25





.






Fig.2. Network nodes for interior surface

2.3.2. Thin layer model

This model of calculation of radial displacement field is
applied more accurately to the case of long bearing
compared with the short ones. Thickness of the elastic
layer should be very small compared to the diameter of
the bearing. For the case of a long bearing the expression
(3) is written [4], [5], [8], [9]

( )
( )( )
( )
( ) z P
R
t
C z U
c
d
c
c c
rc
,
1
2 1 1
, u

+
= (6)
where, |
.
|

\
|
=
C
R
E
C
c
c
d
e
0

Application of this model in the case of short bearing
needs to consider the fact that pressure in bearing free
boundaries, ( )
2
L
z = , is zero. In this case it is assumed that
in each segment (i, j+1) we have ( )
mN
N
rc
U U =
+1
.
Axial distribution of pressure for the accepted division net
is written:
(

+
=
+
2
, 1 , j i j i
m
P P
P .
This pressure causes the displacement U
jm
(fig 3).Thus
the displacement of node j is:

( )
j
rc
U =
(
(

2
1 mj mj
U U
.

2.4. Mutual action structure -fluid. Calculation
method.

In Figure 3, it is presented the algorithm of the elasto-
hydrodynamic problem solution based on the analytical
approximation. In the case of thin layer model the
calculation process is simpler because the diffraction in
Fourier series is not used [2].
For a given initial geometry it is calculated the pressure
field and then the field of displacements. The latter
deviates the cylindrical shape of the couple. Further it is
calculated the new distribution of pressure. The
calculation process continues up to the stabilization of the
deformation process. This is linked with the getting of
two displacement fields or of the two pressure ones that
will meet the convergence requirements. To ensure the
convergence of the iterative process the calculated
displacements must be pondered before usage at the
hydrodynamic part.

The Algorithm called the over-relaxing algorithm is
written [2]:
( )

+ =
O + O =
+ +
+ +
1 1
1 1
1
k
rc o
k
k
rc
k
rc
k
rc
U H H
U U U
(7)

where, U
rc
k +1
and U
rc
k
, are the displacements of iterations
k+1 and k; O; is coefficient of over-relaxation. Its values
according to literature recommendations vary within the
limits 0-1. In this case the problem deals with the
definition of an O* optimum to ensure the rapid
convergence of calculation.

The necessity of the application of such an algorithm in
joining the two parts of the EHD program stems from the
fact that the problem under study is not linear and the
displacement caused by the hydrodynamic pressure field
are in some cases larger than the thickness of the
lubricating layer which has a third order effect to
equations (1) and (2) and therefore a small change of the
thickness of fluid layer leads to significant influence to
the hydrodynamic pressure. The steps of the calculation
are as follows



















Fig.3. Schematic blocks of EHD solution
with analytical method
The test completion of this iterative process is related to
the fulfillment of the condition:
5
,
1
,
,
1
,
10
1

+
+
s

=

j i
k
j i
k
j i
k
j i
p
p
P
P P
N
o (8)
Where, o
p
is the admitted relative error, and N
p
, the
number of points where the pressure value is positive.
Koo Bode, Odhisea Koa, Ilirian Konomi: The Impact of Bearing Deformation in the Field of Pressure And Its Hydrodinamic Characteristics;
Machine Design, Vol.5(2013) No.1, ISSN 1821-1259; pp. 23-30

26
2.5. The validity of hydrodynamic-elastic
approximations.

In this section the methods and assumptions used to solve
the hydrodynamic-elastic problem are verified. The
obtained results are compared with those given in the
literature [1], [2], [3], [6], [7] in the case of long bearings
=
D
L
and those with finite length for 5 . 0 =
D
L
.

2.5.1. Long Couple ( ) =
D
L


The hydrodynamic pressure values obtained using the
analytical method and that of the thin layer are compared
with the results of the literature [6], [7]. As it can be seen
two values for the elasticity module are taken into
consideration.




































Fig.4 a,b. The distribution of pressure
on the average plane
(long couple)

The graphics of Fig.4 provide respectively the pressure
distribution for isoviscous and piezo-viscous fluid. It is
noticed a satisfactory compatibility between the results
obtained with the two used methods and those published
by Canway and Lee [1].
2.5.2. Short Couple ( ) 4 (
D
L


Lets compare the results obtained from the three elasto-
hydrodynamic approaches for the short couple. The first
couple material is stainless steel, while the second pair,
bronze.

Couple 1

The graphics of Fig.5a provide the pressure in the
symmetry section for first couple for a relative
eccentricity 0.6. These results show that in the case of this
couple the pressure field, which is calculated by means of
the two-dimensional thin layer model, is very similar to
the results obtained by the finite elements method. In the
same introduction we notice that the analytical model and
that of one dimensional thin layer give smaller results in
comparison with the finite element method.

































Fig.5 a,b The distribution of pressure
on the average plane (short couple)

Couple 2

The graphics of Fig. 5b give the pressure field in the
symmetry section for the couple 2. The results reveal
evidence of a significant difference of the pressure value
calculated with the analytical method in comparison with
that of the hybrid method [4], which represents a
combination of finite elements method and that of finite
differences. Thin layer model gives results close to the
hybrid method.
Koo Bode, Odhisea Koa, Ilirian Konomi: The Impact of Bearing Deformation in the Field of Pressure And Its Hydrodinamic Characteristics;
Machine Design, Vol.5(2013) No.1, ISSN 1821-1259; pp. 23-30


27
3. CASE STUDY

After we have presented the validity range of the above
hydrodynamic-elastic approximation we consider a case
study.

First, lets compare the results obtained for the case of a
rigid and deformable pair when it is calculated with a
presumptive eccentricity. Secondly, we study the
influence of the elasticity module in the hydrodynamic
characteristics when calculations refer to an assumed
eccentricity and load.

In both cases, the results obtained with the analytical
method are compared with those obtained using the thin
layer method.

3.1. Field of the pressure and the layer geometry
in the hydrodynamic and
elastohydrodynamic regime

In this section the hydrodynamic characteristics of a rigid
pair are compared with those of a deformable pair. Then
and it is presented the influence of elastic deformation in
the pressure field and the lubricating layer geometry.

In this case it is accepted a great value for the eccentricity
and a small value for the elasticity module to better
highlight the deforming effect in the bearing behavior.

Pair characteristics.
Geometric characteristics:
length 05 . 0 = L m
beam ratio 025 . 0 =
a
R m
radial clearance
5
10 * 5

= C m
layer thickness 010 . 0 = t m
Conditions of operation:
rotational speed of the beam 3000 = N
min
rrot

relative eccentricity 3 . 0 = c
free border pressure
atmosferik
p p =
As it can be seen 1 =
D
L
,
3
10 * 2

=
R
C
dhe 4 . 0 =
a
R
t

Fluid properties:
dynamic viscosity 030 . 0 =
capacity measures 885 =
3
m
daN

piezoviscosity coefficient 0 = o

Elastic characteristics of the material
elasticity module 942 =
c
E MPa
coefficient of Poisson 3 . 0 =
c
v

3.1.1. Field of pressure

Graphics of Fig. 6 represent pressure curves for all the
bearings in the symmetry plane. It is noticed that for the
deformable pair the pressure area stretches in an arc
0
225 45 . While for the rigid pair it has an
approximately stretch of
0
45 .













Fig.6. The distribution of pressure on the average plan


3.1.2. The geometry of the fluid layer

The graphics of Fig. 7 represent the dependence of the
fluid layer in the case of deformable and non-deformable
pair. For a solid pair the layer thickness in the circular
direction has the form of a sinusoid and its minimum
value is at the edges of the angle
0
180 . For a deformable
pair there happens an increase of the fluid layer thickness.















Fig.7. Circular variations of thickness H in the average
plan


3.2. Study of the influence of deformation
coefficient
d
C in hydrodynamic
characteristics

In this section we present and compare the results
obtained from the analytical method and that of the two
dimensional thin layer one. The coefficient values
d
C are
accepted in the range (0-1). The value 0 corresponds to
the case of solid bearing for which the value of the
elasticity module =
c
E whereas the value 1
corresponds to the material with elasticity module
1178 =
c
E MPa . The operation conditions of the pair
correspond to the accepted relative eccentricity in the
values 6 . 0 = c and 85 . 0 = c , while the no unit load is
accepted in values 2
0
= W and 4
0
= W and correspond to
the values 5900
0
= W N and 11800
0
= W N .
Koo Bode, Odhisea Koa, Ilirian Konomi: The Impact of Bearing Deformation in the Field of Pressure And Its Hydrodinamic Characteristics;
Machine Design, Vol.5(2013) No.1, ISSN 1821-1259; pp. 23-30

28
3.2.1. Assuming eccentricity

The graphics of Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 provide the circular
variations for the pressure and the fluid layer at the
symmetry level for eccentricity 85 . 0 = c for different
values
d
C . It can be seen that for the increase in the
deformation coefficient
d
C there is a maximum pressure
reduction, a reduction of the cavitations area and an
increase of the fluid layer thickness in the average section.

















Fig.8. Pressure variations for different values of
d
C in
average plan

For the value 1 =
d
C the geometry of lubricating layer
changes significantly in the effect of the elastic
deformation presence. The minimum thickness layer
min
H for deformable pair is about 4 times greater than
the one calculated for the non deformable pair.

















Fig.9. Circular variations of thickness H for different
values of
d
C in average plan.

The graphics of Fig. 10 represent the minimum thickness
variation
min
H obtained by means of the two methods. It
is noticed that the curves are different from each other and
that the minimum thickness calculated with analytical
method is greater in comparison with those calculated by
the method of thin layer. This is directly linked with the
used method. In case of the usage of thin layer,
min
H is
calculated for the lateral borders of the bearing while for
the case of using the analytical method the calculations
belong to the average plan.


















Fig.10. Variations of minimal thickness of fluid
min
H
from
d
C for different values of c

The graphics of Fig. 11 represent the hydrodynamic
forces F

variation. The bearing deformation decreases

significantly the hydrodynamic force. It is noticed that the
results obtained by the two methods are increased with
the growth of eccentricity.



















Fig.11. Variations of hydrodynamic forces from
d
C
for different values of c

3.2.2. Assuming Load

The impact study of the deforming coefficient
d
C in
static deformation features of the pair in case of the
alleged foreign load coincides with the real case of the
functioning of the hydrodynamic pair.
To balance the external applied load with the module and
direction it is necessary to determine the equilibrium
position of the axis in relation to the bearing. The search
Koo Bode, Odhisea Koa, Ilirian Konomi: The Impact of Bearing Deformation in the Field of Pressure And Its Hydrodinamic Characteristics;
Machine Design, Vol.5(2013) No.1, ISSN 1821-1259; pp. 23-30


29
of relative eccentricity corresponds to the definition of
this position. The equilibrium condition is written
F W

=
0
. The relative eccentricity value which satisfies
this condition is required by an interpolation method
known as Regula-Falsi.

For the case of an assumed load the reduction
max
P is not
so important as in the case of the alleged eccentricity (Fig.
12)


















Fig.12. Variations of maximal pressure from
d
C for
different values of applied load

When the load is great the minimum thickness
min
H calculated by two dimensional thin layer method is
reduced very little under the dependence of the
deformation coefficient
d
C . This does not happen with
the results obtained from the analytical method. Fig 13
Also for the thin layer method results is noticed a
reduction
min
H in the case of an assumed load and an
increase in case of supposed eccentricity.
















Fig.13. Variations of minimal thickness
min
H from
d
C
for different values of applied load

The graphics of Fig 14 show the influence of the elastic
deformations on the relative eccentricity. It is observed an
increase of the relative eccentricity with the increase of
pair flexibility. For the hydrodynamic regime, the value 1
of eccentricity corresponds to the contact shaft bearing.
Also it is found that the calculated values by the analytical
method are greater than those calculated by the thin layer
method. This clearly proves the hypothesis of plane
deformations used for calculating the displacements
which do not consider the axial variation of the fluid flow.


















Fig.14. Variations of maximal pressure from
d
C for
different values of applied load


4. CONCLUSIONS

In case of a long pair the analytical model represents a
good approximation for elastic materials.

In case of a short couple the pressure field differs in the
axial and circular direction. In this case, the 2D thin layer
model provides an efficient approximation for the elastic
deformable materials, while for the materials with Poisson
coefficient 4 , 0 ) v the model does not have the same
efficiency.

The analytical method, ignoring the axial pressure
variation, does not provide satisfactory results. However
it can be used as an approximate method for materials
with small Poisson coefficient.

The shear displacements are always much smaller than
the radial ones. When calculating the static and dynamic
characteristics of the rotary systems their influence is not
taken into consideration.

For a presumptive eccentricity the analytical
approximation and that of 2D thin layer give approximate
values for the maximum pressure
max
p and
hydrodynamic force F

but different for the thickness of

fluid
min
H because the approximation neglects the axial
variations

For the assumed load the results change. The influence of
the model is visible especially to chart Fig. 13 and Fig 14.

Koo Bode, Odhisea Koa, Ilirian Konomi: The Impact of Bearing Deformation in the Field of Pressure And Its Hydrodinamic Characteristics;
Machine Design, Vol.5(2013) No.1, ISSN 1821-1259; pp. 23-30

30
REFERENCES

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journal bearings, Journal of lubrication Technology,
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[2] Jahn S.C, Sinhasan R, Singh D.V. The study of
elastohydrodynamic lubrication in journal bearings
with piozoviscous lubricants. 1990, ASLE
Transactions 1999
[3] Braun M, Dougherty J., Hydrodynamic analysis
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complaint thick journal bearing (part 2), Results,
ASME Transactions, 1999.
[4] Grugin A.N. Fundamentals of hydrodynamic theory
of heavily loaded cylindrical surfaces,
Mashinostroene, Moscow, No 30, 1949
[5] Reynolds O. On the theory of lubrication and
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[6] Carl T, E. An experimental investigation of a
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[7] Carl T, An experimental investigation of cylindrical
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