Transient elastohydrodynamic analysis of rough surfaces using a novel coupled differential deflection method

Abstract

The paper presents a transient analysis technique for line contact elastohydrodynamic lubrication problems using coupled elastic and hydrodynamic equations. Full coupling is made possible by use of a novel differential deflection formulation. The lubricant is treated as non-Newtonian with a non-linear Eyring-type relationship between shear stress and shear strain rate. Results are presented for moving rough surfaces where the roughness data are taken from profilometer traces of run-in ground surfaces. A complete range of slide-roll ratios has been considered and results are shown for one rough surface in rolling/sliding motion against a smooth surface with extremely low lambda ratios (ratio of minimum film clearance to r. m.s. roughness). Results are also shown for two rough surfaces in contact under severe thin-film high-roughness conditions.