Abstract

This work proposes a framework to the numerical identification of nonlinear fluid film bearing parameters from large journal orbital motion (20-60% of the bearing clearance). Nonlinear coefficients are defined by a third order Taylor expansion of bearing reaction forces and are evaluated through a least mean square in time domain technique. The journal response is obtained from a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model of a plain journal bearing on high dynamic loading conditions. The model considers fluid-structure interaction between the fluid flow and the journal. The case in study considers a laboratory test rig. Results indicate that nonlinear coefficients have an important effect on stiffness and damping. It was found a change on nonlinear behavior occurred when the Oil Whirl phenomenon starts, which it is not seen in classical linear models. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.