Dynamics of a Journal Bearing During Sudden Rotor Stoppage Considering Inertial Properties and Pressure-Dependent Lubricant Viscosity
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31891/2079-1372-2026-121-3-27-35Keywords:
journal bearing, sudden rotor stoppage, impact loading, rotor inertia, lubricant viscosity, pressure dependence, lubricant film, dynamic analysis, impact resistanceAbstract
The dynamic behavior of a journal bearing during sudden rotor stoppage is investigated using a mathematical model that accounts for the inertial properties of the rotor and the pressure dependence of lubricant viscosity. The lubricant viscosity is described by the Barus law, and the pressure distribution in the lubricant film is determined from the Reynolds equation for one-dimensional flow with variable viscosity. The resultant hydrodynamic force is incorporated into the second-order equation of motion of the rotor–bearing system. A sinusoidal half-wave is used to represent the external impact load, and the resulting nonlinear differential equation is solved numerically. The transient variation of lubricant-film thickness and maximum lubricant-film pressure is analyzed during the impact and after removal of the load. For the investigated conditions, the maximum pressure in the lubricant film reaches approximately 74 MPa and subsequently decreases to low-amplitude oscillations around a mean value of about 14 MPa. The lubricant-film thickness remains sufficient to preserve film integrity throughout the considered transient process. Comparison with the approximate approach shows that the latter overestimates the displacement, velocity, and pressure responses. The proposed model can be used to assess the dynamic behavior and impact resistance of journal bearings under sudden rotor stoppage and impact loading
References
Kumar, S., Kumar, V., & Singh, A. K. (2020). Influence of lubricants on the performance of journal bearings – A review. Tribology - Materials, Surfaces & Interfaces, 14(2), 67–78. https://doi.org/10.1080/17515831.2020.1712112
Wang, K., Yang, L., Wang, H., Ji, X., & Zhu, K. (2023). Transient analysis for offset-elliptical journal bearings under misalignment and dynamic loading. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part J: Journal of Engineering Tribology, 237(7), 1511–1531. https://doi.org/10.1177/13506501231163920
Gu, C., Meng, X., Zhang, D., & Xie, Y. (2017). Transient analysis of the textured journal bearing operating with the piezoviscous and shear-thinning fluids. Journal of Tribology, 139(5), 051708. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4035812
Alshaer, B. J., & Lankarani, H. M. (2023). An exact analytical solution for dynamic loads generated by lubricated long journal bearings. Mechanism and Machine Theory, 183, 105263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mechmachtheory.2023.105263
Xiong, G., Zhang, J., Mao, Z., Wang, Z., Wang, H., Lian, S., & Jiang, Z. (2024). Dynamic misalignment effects on performance of dynamically loaded journal bearings. International Journal of Mechanical Sciences, 264, 108839. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2023.108839
Xiong, G., Mao, Z., Zhang, J., Wang, Z., Wang, H., & Jiang, Z. (2023). Coupled effects of misalignment and viscoelastic deformation on dynamically loaded journal bearings. International Journal of Mechanical Sciences, 251, 108347. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2023.108347
Wang, K., Wang, C., Wang, X., Zhu, K., & Yang, L. (2024). Nonlinear tribo-dynamic performance and transient stability for marine dynamically loaded offset-halves journal bearings. Tribology International, 191, 109177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.triboint.2023.109177
Shi, J., Zhao, B., Tu, L., Xin, Q., Xie, Z., Zhong, N., & Lu, X. (2024). Transient lubrication analysis of journal-thrust coupled bearing considering time-varying loads and thermal-pressure coupled effect. Tribology International, 194, 109502. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.triboint.2024.109502
Wang, G., Zhao, X., Zhang, Y., Li, C., & Du, J. (2025). Transient mixed lubrication analysis of the hydrodynamic bearing-rotor system during start-up considering misalignment and wear. Nonlinear Dynamics, 113, 17769–17789. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11071-025-11120-4
Singh, V., & Rajput, A. K. (2023). Piezoviscous-polar lubrication of capillary compensated hybrid conical undulated journal bearing. Tribology International, 186, 108588. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.triboint.2023.108588
Chen, Z., Wang, J., Li, R., & Liu, Y. (2025). Transient tribo-dynamic behavior of bi-directional misaligned water-lubricated bearings coupled with journal axial motion. Physics of Fluids, 37(3), 037113. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0256919
Dykha, A. V., & Marchenko, D. D. (2018). Prediction the wear of sliding bearings. International Journal of Engineering and Technology, 7(2.23), 4–8. https://doi.org/10.14419/ijet.v7i2.23.11872
Marchenko, D. D., & Matvyeyeva, K. S. (2020). Investigation of tool wear resistance when smoothing parts. Problems of Tribology, 25(4/98), 40–44. https://doi.org/10.31891/2079-1372-2020-98-4-40-44
Wei, C., Liao, G., Wang, W., Xu, J., & Liu, K. (2023). Transient tribo-dynamic performance of journal bearings considering wear behavior during start-up. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part J: Journal of Engineering Tribology, 237(9), 1809–1825. https://doi.org/10.1177/13506501231187316
Sangeetha, S., Saleh, A. A., Anandhababu, D., Marimuthu, K., Ali, N., Karabiyik, Ü., & Geethamalini, S. (2025). Viscosity variation with velocity slip effect using couple stress fluid between rough conical bearings. Boletim da Sociedade Paranaense de Matemática, 43, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.5269/bspm.78374
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Problems of Tribology
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
