Performance of dynamically loaded journal bearings lubricated with couple stress fluids considering the elasticity of the liner

To take into account the couple stress effects, a modified Reynolds equation is derived for dynamically loaded journal bearings with the consideration of the elasticity of the liner. The numerical results show that the influence of couple stresses on the bearing characteristics is significant. Compared with Newtonian lubricants, lubricants with couple stresses increase the fluid film pressure, as a result enhance the load-carrying capacity and reduce the friction coefficient. However, since the elasticity of the liner weakens the couple stress effect, elastic liners yield a reduction in the load-carrying capacity and an increase in the friction coefficient. The elastic deformation of the bearing liner should be considered in an accurate performance evaluation of the journal bearing.