Finite element method for computing dynamic coefficients of multilobe bearings

A finite element method is used for solving the two-dimensional Reynolds Equation of a hydrodynamic journal bearing and computing the oil film stiffness and damping coefficients of two-axial groove cylindrical, two-lobe, three-lobe and four-lobe journal bearings. In this method, the Reynolds Equation needs to be solved only once, unlike the earlier methods where the Reynolds Equation had to be solved eight times. This method saves a considerable amount of computer time without sacrificing the accuracy of the results. The results are compared with the published data, both theoretical and experimental, and they are in good agreement. © 1993 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.