A Transition-Turbulent Lubrication Theory Using Mixing Length Concept

Abstract

This paper applies the recently introduced Reynolds stress expression (Tieu and Kosasih, 1992) in the transition-turbulent lubrication analysis. The Reynolds stress is modeled using the mixing length expression which is able to account for the effect of local shear stress gradient, and it can be extended to apply in the transition regime. This theory is then used to determine three-dimensional velocity distributions between parallel plates. From the results, a set of coefficients covering transition-turbulent regime used in conjunction with the modified Reynolds equation is presented. It is shown that the resulting coefficients agree well with results of Elrod and Ng (1967) in the fully turbulent regime while differences are shown in the transition regime. Pressure distributions and load carrying capacity of superlaminar journal bearing are compared with available experimental data.