A Study of Fluid Velocities in Tribological Fluid Film

Abstract

Recently a model of Reynolds stress in turbulent lubrication theory was proposed by Tieu and Kosasih (1992) based on a modified Van Driest mixing length formula. It was developed from a study of Poiseuille flow velocities in narrow gaps. As a continuation of that study, this paper describes an investigation into fluid velocities in fluid film bearings. Experimental velocity profiles of planar flows in various film geometries are compared with the profiles calculated using the mixing length model in the transition-turbulent regime. Excellent agreements have been attained, confirming the validity of the formula in the superlaminar theory. The effects of Reynolds number and pressure gradient on nonplanar velocity profiles are also presented.