Finite Element System Approach to EHL of Elliptical Contacts: Part I—Isothermal Circular Non-Newtonian Formulation

Abstract

The column continuity equation is used in formulating a modified Reynolds equation for elastohydrodynamic lubrication of elliptical contacts. A finite element method (FEM), here the Galerkin weighting method with isoparametric Q9 elements, is used to discretize the weak form of the Reynolds equation. In addition to the nodal pressures and the offset film thickness, the locations of the two-dimensional irregular free boundary are explicitly solved for by simultaneously forcing the essential and the natural Reynolds boundary conditions. Newton-Raphson’s iterations with a user-friendly yet efficient meshless scheme (i.e., automatic meshing-remeshing) are finally applied to solve these equations. A decoupled circular non-Newtonian fluid model is adapted in a way to illustrate the implementation of this new solution method. Extensive results will be given in Part II.