A finite element approach of thin film lubrication in circular EHD contacts

So far, most of the numerical studies concerning elastohydrodynamic point contact lubrication have been realized using finite differences. This paper describes a finite element approach for the modelling of both, thick and thin film lubrication in circular contacts under isothermal elastohydrodynamic regime. Multigrid techniques are used to accelerate the convergence and reduce calculation time. The use of the finite element method (FEM) offers two advantages: first, the existence of high level ready-to-use Finite Element commercial software which reduces the time spent in implementing the method and second, the easier adaptability to different and various physical models such as lubricant rheology, starvation effects, thermal effects, non-Newtonian behaviour, etc. The numerical model is presented in detail and an example of its adaptation taking into account non-Newtonian effects is shown. Finally, a comparison is made between Newtonian and non-Newtonian solutions, exhibiting differences obtained when using both models, especially at high shear rates where the film thickness and the friction coefficients are overestimated by a Newtonian approach.