Numerical approach to interpret the attributes of porous journal bearings using couple-stress fluid

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the amalgamated consequences of nonNewtonian fluid and permeability for nonporous journal spinning with constant tangential velocity inside a rough porous bearing. Design/methodology/approach The flow is assumed to have developed under low Reynolds number, and the flow is governed by reduced Navier–Stokes equations. Based on Stokes theory for couple-stress fluid, a closed form of nonNewtonian Reynolds equation is obtained. Finite difference based multigrid method is adopted to study the various parameters of journal bearings. Findings It is found that bearing attributes such as pressure distribution and weight carrying capacity are commanding for nonNewtonian couple-stress fluid compared to the classical Newtonian case. Originality/value The multigrid method for the Reynolds equation is used, which accelerates the convergence rate of the solution and is independent of the grid size. The effects of couple-stress fluid promote the enhanced pressure distribution in the fluid. Both increased weight bearing capacity and delayed squeezing time reduce the skin-friction and hence take longer time to come in contact with each other. Peer review The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-02-2020-0051/