Hydrodynamic lubrication of porous journal bearings using a modified Brinkman-extended Darcy model

A numerical solution for the hydrodynamic lubrication of finite porous journal bearings considering the flexibility of the liner is introduced. The Brinkman-extended Darcy equations and the Stokesʹ equations are utilized to model the flow in the porous region and fluid film region, respectively. A stress jump boundary condition at the porous media/fluid film interface and effects of viscous shear are included into the lubrication analysis. Elrodʹs cavitation algorithm, which automatically predicts film rupture and reformation in the bearing, is implemented in the solution scheme. The present analysis predictions for pressure distributions, load carrying capacity, and friction factor are in good agreement with three different sets of experimental results available in the literature. Furthermore, the effects of dimensionless permeability parameter, and stress jump parameter on performance parameters such as load carrying capacity, side leakage, friction factor, and attitude angle, are presented and discussed.