Numerical Analysis of Circular and Two-Lobe Journal Bearing Operating with Electro-Rheological (ER) Lubricant

This study is conducted to investigate the effect of ER lubricant on the bearing performance characteristics. The numerical solution of Reynold’s equation has been presented using the finite element technique. Fluid’s Non-Newtonian behaviour has been modelled using the Bingham model and JFO boundary conditions have been applied to solve the problem of cavitation in the journal bearing. Two-lobe shape journal bearing resulted in better stiffness and damping characteristics as compared to the traditional bearing design. The ER fluid shows very promising results in improving the bearing performance parameters for the design of the two-lobe bearing. The stability analysis is performed by considering Routh’s criteria. The two-lobe bearing configuration gave higher values for marginal threshold speed.