Finite Element Analysis of Dynamically Loaded Journal Bearings: Influence of the Bolt Preload

Abstract

An improved FEM model was developed to simulate the elastic behavior of a connecting rod bearing, accounting for the displacements caused by the tightening torque applied to the bolts that join the cap and the rod. These initial displacements are added to the pressure induced displacements, to enhance the solution of the elastohydrodynamic bearing lubrication problem. The big end bearing of a marine diesel engine was modeled and analyzed under combustion process loads and inertia loads using the Newton-Raphson method together with the Murty’s algorithm. Some important differences between these results and other results published for the same bearing without the bolt preload are identified and discussed.