P AM U K K AL E Ü N İ V E R S İ TE S İ M ÜHENDİSLİK F AKÜL TESİ YIL : 2005

PAMUKKALE UNIVERSITY ENGINEERING COLLEGE

CİLT : 11
MÜHENDİSLİK BİLİMLERİ DERGİSİ SAYI :3
JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING SCIENCES SAYFA : 335-343

CALCULATION OF DYNAMIC COEFFICIENTS FOR FLUID

FILM JOURNAL BEARINGS

Uğur YÜCEL
Pamukkale University, Faculty of Science and Art, Department of Mathematics, 20017/Denizli

Geliş Tarihi : 20.08.2004

ABSTRACT

An analytical method for calculating the stiffness and damping coefficients for journal bearings is briefly
reviewed with author’s contributions. These coefficients are required for stability calculations of rotor-bearing
systems. The Reynolds equation governing the pressure field within a bearing is obtained by simplifying the
Navier-Stokes equations in Cartesian coordinates. It is then solved analytically using the short bearing
approximation to obtain pressures in the fluid film. Integration of the pressure obtained by the solution of the
Reynolds equation defines the bearing forces and the corresponding dynamic stiffness and damping coefficients
of short circular bearings. The results presented in this work can be used in the stability calculations of rotor
systems with short circular bearings.

Key Words : Rotor, Bearing, Reynolds equation, Dynamic coefficients, Stability

AKIŞKAN FİLM ŞAFT YATAKLARININ DİNAMİK KATSAYILARININ

HESAPLANMASI

ÖZET

Şaft yataklarının rijidlik ve sönüm katsayılarını hesaplamak için analitik bir metot yazarın katkılarıyla birlikte
kısaca derleniyor. Bu katsayılar rotor-rulman sistemlerinin kararlılık hesaplamaları için gereklidir. Bir rulman
içindeki basıncı veren Reynolds denklemi kartezyen koordinatlarda Navier-Stokes denklemlerinin
sadeleştirilmesiyle elde ediliyor. Daha sonra bu denklem akışkan filmdeki basınçları elde etmek için kısa rulman
yaklaşımını kullanarak analitik olarak çözülüyor. Reynolds denkleminin çözümünden elde edilen basıncın
integrasyonu rulman kuvvetlerini ve bunlara karşılık gelen kısa çembersel rulmanların dinamik rijidlik ve
sönüm katsayılarını tanımlar. Bu çalışmada sunulan sonuçlar kısa çembersel rulmanlara sahip rotor sistemlerinin
kararlılık hesaplamalarında kullanılabilir.

Anahtar Kelimeler : Rotor, Rulman, Reynolds denklemi, Dinamik katsayılar, Kararlılık

1. INTRODUCTION All rotating machinery is supported by one or more

bearings which play a vital part of the entire system,
since it is the component that permits the relative
The need for higher speed, yet reliable operation of motion between the stationary and moving parts.
rotating machinery continues to increase. A key There are two general types of bearings which are
factor in achiving this objective continues to be the commonly used in rotor-bearing system
ability to accurately predict the dynamic response applications. These are fluid-film bearings and
and stability of a rotor-bearing system. rolling-element bearings.

335
 Calculation of Dynamic Coefficients for Fluid Film Journal Bearings, U. Yücel
Fluid-film bearings have been succesfully used for
millennia, and may well be the most used machine
element in our civilization. Today large numbers of
fluid-film bearings are used in myriad of
applications from small electric motors, to
automobile and aircraft piston engines, to large
steam turbines for electric power generation.
It is well known that the fluid-film bearings play a
significant role in the dynamic behavior of the rotor
(Goodwin 1989; Rao, 1983; Yücel, 2003). Because
the thin film that separates the moving surfaces
supports the rotor load, it acts like a spring and
provides damping due to squeeze film effect. The
stifness and damping properties of the fluid-film
significantly alter the critical speeds and out-of-
balance responce of a rotor. In addition, rotor
instability occurs, which is a self-exited vibration
arising out of the bearing fluid-film effects, and this
is an important factor to be considered in the rotor
design.
Many theoretical studies, numerical calculations and
experimental measurements have been carried out to
determine the effect of self-exited vibration in rotor-
bearing systems due to bearing fluid-film effects.
The appended reference list gives some, but far from
all of the papers that mark the development of the
concept of bearing fluid-film effects.
In this work, a method for calculating the stiffness
and damping coefficients of short circular bearings
is presented. These stiffness and damping
coefficients are necessary for the stability analysis of
the rotor-bearing systems. The Reynolds equation
governing the pressure field within a bearing is
derived from the Navier-Stokes equations in section
2. Analitical solution of the Reynolds equation using
the short bearing approximation is given in section
3. Integration of the pressure field gives the bearing
forces acting on a rotor. Formulas for the stiffness
and damping coefficients are presented in section 4
and the results are summurized in section 5.
2. DERIVATION OF THE REYNOLDS
EQUATION
Our interest in this section is the derivation of a
governing equation for the pressure field within a
bearing. The pressure field will then be integrated to
determine the bearing forces acting on a rotor
(shaft).
The components used in the theory of hydrodynamic
bearings are the bearing journal (shaft), the lubricant
and the bearing bushing which is a plain cylindrical
Mühendislik Bilimleri Dergisi 2005 11 (3) 335-343
sleeve wrapped around the journal. The bearing
bushing is rigidly supported. Figure 1 shows the 360
degree plain journal bearing layout. The journal
rotates with angular velocity Ω and is statically or
dynamically loaded in the radial direction. Figure 2
illustrates the cross-section of a plain journal
bearing. The bearing center is at the midpoint of the
bearing length L and is denoted by C b . The point
C b is the origin of the coordinate system X , Y , Z .
The bearing journal has radius R and center C j in
the XY -plane. It is assumed for simplicity that the
journal remains parallel to the bearing bushing and
undergoes only tranlational motion parallel to the
XY -plane (in addition to the rotation). In other
words, any moments arising from journal tilt are
neglected.
L
Lubricant
Bearing Bushing
Journal (Housing)
(Shaft)
Ω
Housing is fixed
Figure 1. 360 degree plain journal bearing layout
Y
c h θ
ϕ
γ
Cb Cj
X
e
Figure 2. Diagramatic layout of assumed clearance
geometry
The journal is considered unloaded when C j and
C b are coincident. The radial distance between the
journal surface and the bearing bushing for a central
journal is denoted by c . The position of the journal
is defined by the eccentricity e and the angle γ . For
336 Journal of Engineering Sciences 2005 11 (3) 335-343
 Calculation of Dynamic Coefficients for Fluid Film Journal Bearings, U. Yücel

an accentric journal the fluid film tickness is given We use the other assumptions listed above to
by (Yucel, 2000). simplify the study of the fluid flow between the two
surfaces. Using Cartesian coordinates and neglecting
h(ϕ ) = c − e cos(ϕ − γ ) , (1) body forces, the Navier-Stokes equations can be
stated as;
and for a moving journal with e(t) and γ (t )
∂u ∂u ∂u ∂u
+u +v +w =
∂t ∂x ∂y ∂z
h(ϕ , t ) = c − e(t ) cos(ϕ − γ (t )) . (2)
1 ∂p ⎛ ∂ 2u ∂ 2u ∂ 2u ⎞
− +η⎜ 2 + 2 + 2 ⎟
The following simplifying assumptions are made in ρ ∂x ⎜ ∂x ∂y ∂z ⎟⎠
⎝
the derivation of the governing equation for the ∂v ∂v ∂v ∂v
pressure field within a bearing: +u +v +w =
∂t ∂x ∂y ∂z
, (3)
1. The curvature of fluid film is negligible. 1 ∂p ⎛ ∂ 2v ∂ 2v ∂ 2v ⎞
− +η⎜ 2 + 2 + 2 ⎟
2. The lubricant is massless and ρ ∂y ⎜ ∂x ∂y ∂z ⎟⎠
incompressible. ⎝
∂w ∂w ∂w ∂w
3. The lubricant is Newtonian and its viscosity +u +v +w =
is constant in the whole of the fluid-film. ∂t ∂x ∂y ∂z
4. The flow is laminar. 1 ∂p ⎛ ∂2w ∂2w ∂2w ⎞
5. The pressure of the lubricant is constant in − +η⎜ 2 + 2 + 2 ⎟
ρ ∂z ⎜ ∂x ∂y ∂z ⎟⎠
the radial direction. ⎝
6. The fluid-film thickness is small compared
to the journal radius. Where, ρ and η are the fluid density and
kinematic viscosity, respectively. Further, p is the
In view of the assumption one, we can consider the
fluid filled area of the bearing as the flow region pressure, and u, v, w the fluid velocity components
between an infinite rigid plate and an ondulating in the x, y, z directions. The flow field model is
second surface as shown in Figure 3. completed by the incompressible fluid continuity
equation
y, v
Journal ∂u ∂v ∂w
+ + =0. (4)
U ∂x ∂y ∂z

The spatial coordinates are nondimensionalized via

h ( x, t )
x y z
x, u x= , y= , z= . (5)
Bushing R c R

The velocity components are also

nondimensionalized via
L
u ⎛R⎞ v w
x, u u= , v =⎜ ⎟ , w= . (6)
RΩ ⎝ c ⎠ RΩ RΩ

z, w The nondimensionalization is completed by

⎛c⎞ p cRΩ
Figure 3. Coordinates of fluid-film p = ℜe⎜ ⎟ , ℜe = , t = Ωt . (7)
⎝ ⎠
R ρ ( RΩ )2
η
The infinite plate corresponds to the bearing
bushing. The ondulating surface corresponds to the Substituting the nondimensionalized variables into
journal surface and moves to the right with speed Eqns. (3), we obtain
U = RΩ . The distance between the two surfaces is
represented by h( x, t ) where x measures the
distance along the periphery of the bearing bushing.

Mühendislik Bilimleri Dergisi 2005 11 (3) 335-343 337 Journal of Engineering Sciences 2005 11 (3) 335-343
 Calculation of Dynamic Coefficients for Fluid Film Journal Bearings, U. Yücel

⎛ c ⎞ ⎡ ∂u ⎛ ∂u ∂u ∂u ⎞⎤ u = 0 , w = 0 at y=0
ℜe⎜ ⎟ ⎢ + ⎜⎜ u +v +w ⎟⎥ =
∂z ⎟⎠⎥⎦
. (11)
⎝ R ⎠ ⎣⎢ ∂t ⎝ ∂x ∂y
u =U , w = 0 at y=h
∂p ∂ 2 u ⎛ c ⎞ ⎛⎜ ∂ 2 u ∂ 2 u ⎞⎟
2
− + 2 +⎜ ⎟ +
∂x ∂y ⎝ R ⎠ ⎜⎝ ∂x 2 ∂z 2 ⎟⎠ Integrating Eqns. (10) with respect to y and
employing the above boundary conditions, we obtain
⎡ c 2 Ω ∂v c ⎛ ∂v ∂v ∂v ⎞⎤
+ ℜe ⎜⎜ u +v +w ⎟⎥
2⎢ η ∂t R ⎝ ∂x ∂y ∂z ⎟⎠⎥
⎛c⎞ ⎢
⎜ ⎟ ⎢ 2 ⎥ u=
1 ∂p 2
2 µ ∂x
( U
y − hy + y )
⎝ R ⎠ ⎢ ∂ v ⎛ c ⎞ ⎛ ∂ 2v ∂ 2v ⎞
2 h
− 2 −⎜ ⎟ ⎜ 2 + 2 ⎟ ⎥ . (8) . (12)
⎢ ∂y
⎣ ⎝ R ⎠ ⎜ ∂x
⎝ ∂ z ⎟
⎠
⎥
⎦ w=
1 ∂p 2
2µ ∂z
y − hy ( )
∂p
=−
∂y We note that u is the sum of the flow due to
⎛ c ⎞ ⎡ ∂w ⎛ ∂w ∂w ∂w ⎞⎤ circumferential pressure gradient ∂p ∂x and the
ℜe⎜ ⎟ ⎢ + ⎜⎜ u +v +w ⎟⎥ =
⎝ R ⎠ ⎢⎣ ∂t ⎝ ∂x ∂y ∂z ⎟⎠⎥⎦ flow due to the no-slip boundary conditions. Note
further that the pressure gradients ∂p ∂x and
∂p ∂ 2 w ⎛ c ⎞
2
⎛ ∂2w ∂2w ⎞
− + +⎜ ⎟ ⎜ + ⎟ ∂p ∂z are independent of y. Substitution from Eqns.
∂z ∂y 2 ⎝ R ⎠ ⎜ ∂x 2 ∂z 2 ⎟
⎝ ⎠ (12) into the continuity Eqn. (4) yields.

Neglecting second order terms in (c R ) , the above

equations simplify to;
∂v
=−
∂ ⎡ 1 ∂p 2
⎢ (
U ⎤
y − hy + y ⎥ )
∂y ∂x ⎣ 2 µ ∂x h ⎦
. (13)
⎛ c ⎞ ⎡ ∂u ⎛ ∂u
ℜe⎜ ⎟ ⎢ + ⎜⎜ u +v
∂u
+w
∂u ⎞⎤
⎟⎥ =
∂ ⎡ 1 ∂p 2
− ⎢
∂z ⎣ 2 µ ∂z
( ⎤
y − hy ⎥ )
⎝ R ⎠ ⎣⎢ ∂t ⎝ ∂x ∂y ∂z ⎟⎠⎥⎦ ⎦

∂p ∂ 2 u Integration with respect to y from y = 0 to y = h

− +
∂x ∂y 2 yields.
∂p
0=− . (9)
(
U ⎤
)
∂h h ∂ ⎡ 1 ∂p
∂y v= = −∫ y 2 − hy + y ⎥ dy
⎢
⎛ c ⎞ ⎡ ∂w ⎛ ∂w ∂w ∂w ⎞⎤ ∂t 0 ∂x ⎣ 2 µ ∂x h ⎦
ℜe⎜ ⎟ ⎢ + ⎜⎜ u +v +w ⎟⎥ = . (14)
∂z ⎟⎠⎥⎦
⎝ R ⎠ ⎣⎢ ∂t ⎝ ∂x ∂y h ∂ ⎡ 1 ∂p
−∫ ⎢ (
⎤
y − hy ⎥ dy
2
)
∂p ∂ 2 w 0 ∂z ⎣ 2 µ ∂z ⎦
− +
∂z ∂y 2
In the above equation, we consider that v = ∂h ∂t at
Hence, because of the small (c R ) ratio, the
the journal surface. Applying Leibniz’s rule for the
differentiation of integrals,
pressure gradient across the film is entirely
negligible. h(x ) ∂ h(x )
∫ [ f ( y, x )]dy = ∂ ∫ f ( y, x )dy − f (h, x ) dh ,
In analyzing hydrodynamic bearings, the temporal 0 ∂x ∂x 0 dx
and acceleration terms on the left of Eqns. (9) are
neglected since these terms are arguably small to the first integral of Eqn. (14), we obtain
provided that ℜe(c R ) is less than one. Hence, the
dimensional governing equations become; ∂h
∂t
=−
∂ h ⎡ 1 ∂p 2
∫⎢
∂x 0 ⎣ 2 µ ∂x
(
U ⎤
y − hy + y ⎥ dy
h ⎦
)
. (15)
∂ 2u 1 ∂p
∂y 2 µ
=
∂x −U
∂h ∂ h ⎡ 1 ∂p 2
− ∫⎢
∂x ∂z 0 ⎣ 2 µ ∂z
⎤
y − hy ⎥ dy ( )
, (10) ⎦
∂ w 1 ∂p
2
=
∂y 2 µ ∂z Since µ , ∂p ∂x and ∂p ∂z are independent of y,
the indicated integrations can be completed to yield
Where, µ is the absolute viscosity. From Figure 3, the following laminar flow Reynolds equation for an
the boundary conditions can be stated as; isoviscous incompressible fluid:

Mühendislik Bilimleri Dergisi 2005 11 (3) 335-343 338 Journal of Engineering Sciences 2005 11 (3) 335-343
 Calculation of Dynamic Coefficients for Fluid Film Journal Bearings, U. Yücel

∂ ⎛⎜ h 3 ∂p ⎞⎟ ∂ ⎛⎜ h 3 ∂p ⎞⎟ 3µ
+ ⎜ = 6U
∂h
+ 12
∂h
. (16) p(θ , z , t ) = [ e (Ω − 2γ ) sin θ − 2e cos θ ] z 2
⎜ ⎟
∂x ⎝ µ ∂x ⎠ ∂z ⎝ µ ∂z ⎠ ⎟ ∂x ∂t h3 , (20)
~ ~
+ Cz + D
With this equation and appropriate boundary and ~ ~
initial conditions the pressure p in the fluid-film is where C and D are the integration constants to be
determined. determined using the boundary conditions p = 0 at
z = ± L 2. Making use of these boundary
conditions results in
3. SOLUTION OF THE REYNOLDS
EQUATION p(θ , z , t ) =
3µ ⎛⎜ 2 L2 ⎞⎟ . (21)
3 ⎜
z −
⎟
[ e (Ω − 2γ ) sin θ − 2e cos θ ]
The Reynolds equation derived in the previous h ⎝ 4 ⎠
section is usually solved on the computer using
finite difference or finite element methods. Integrating the pressure obtained by the solution of
However, there are two approximations to Eqn. (16) Reynolds equation, the fluid-film force is
that have closed-form analytical solutions (Kirk and determined. The integration must be done very
Gunter, 1976; Szeri, 1980; Szeri, 1987; Hamrock, carefully since a subambient pressure will not be
1994). These are known as the short bearing and permitted to exist in the fluid film (Kirk and Gunter,
long bearing approximations. For bearings that are 1976). Integrating Eqn. (21) over z gives the fluid
short in the axial direction, the pressure change in film force per unit length in the circumferential
the circumferential direction is neglected. On the direction as
other hand, for a long bearing, the pressure change
in the axial direction is neglected. In this work, we L2 µL3 Ω
only consider the short bearing approximation for q(θ , t ) = ∫ p(θ , z , t ) dz = q * (θ , t ) , (22)
the solution of the Reynolds equation given by Eqn. −L 2 2c 2
(16). Hence, we remove the first term on the left
hand side of Eqn. (16). With ∂p ∂x = 0 , the where
Reynolds equation takes the following form:
⎛ 2γ ⎞ 2ε
ε⎜ − 1⎟ sin θ + cos θ
∂ ⎛⎜ h ∂p ⎞⎟ ∂h ∂h ⎝ Ω ⎠ Ω
q (θ , t ) =
3
*
= 6U + 12 . (17) . (23)
⎜
∂z ⎝ µ ∂z ⎠⎟ ∂x ∂t (1 − ε cos θ )3

With x = Rϕ and h(ϕ , t ) from Eq. (2), we can write In the above equation, ε is the eccentricity ratio
( ε = e c ). In the static case, we obtain
∂h 1
= e sin (ϕ − γ ) −ε sin θ
∂x R q * (θ ) = . (24)
∂h
= −e
∂γ ∂e
sin (ϕ − γ ) − cos(ϕ − γ )
. (18)
(1 − ε cos θ )3
∂t ∂t ∂t
Figure 4 shows the behavior of q * (θ ) for several
Substituting Eqs. (18) into Eq. (17) and using values of the eccentricity ratio ε .
θ = ϕ − γ , we obtain
As can be seen from the figure, in the region
∂ p 6µ 0 < θ < π , q * (θ ) is negative. Therefore, one
2
= [e (Ω − 2γ ) sin θ − 2e cos θ ] , (19)
∂z assumes in this region that q * (θ ) = 0 (Childs, 1993;
2
h3
Kramer, 1993). Possitive pressures occur in the
where the dot indicates the derivative with respect to lower half as a result of the eccentricity vector e in
time. Here, we note that e and eγ correspond to the plane X ′ Y ′ (see Figure 5). The resultant of
the radial and tangential velocities of the journal in
forces dF = qRdθ loads the bearing shell and the
the bearing, respectively. By integration, one
obtains the pressure function journal. The corresponding static equilibrium force
on the journal is shown as F0 .

Mühendislik Bilimleri Dergisi 2005 11 (3) 335-343 339 Journal of Engineering Sciences 2005 11 (3) 335-343
 Calculation of Dynamic Coefficients for Fluid Film Journal Bearings, U. Yücel

F1 = 0 = F1′ cos γ − F2 ′ sin γ

8 , (25)
6
ε = 0.3
F2 = − F0 = F1′ sin γ + F2 ′ cos γ
ε = 0.6
ε = 0.7
4
where
2

2π 2ε 2
q* (θ)

F1′ = ∫ q(θ ) cos θ Rdθ = Fµ

0

-2 π (1 − ε ) 2 2
. (26)
2π πε
-4 F2 ′ = ∫ q(θ ) sin θ Rdθ = − Fµ
-6
π (
2 1− ε 2 )
32

-8
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 In equations (26) , Fµ is given by
θ

µL3 ΩR
Figure 4. Fluid film force per unit length in the Fµ = . (27)
circumferential direction for several values of ε 2c 2

Y ϕ The angle γ shown in Figure 6 is obtained from the

′ first of equations (25) as
Y ′, F2 ′
X ′, F1
θ

F1′ 4ε
tan γ = =− . (28)
F′
γ
F0
2 π 1− ε 2
e
Cj The angle α between the vertical direction (load
Cb X direction) and the line of centers (shown in Figure 6)
is related to γ by α = γ + π 2 and consequently is
q* (θ ) given by

F2 ′ π 1− ε 2
tan α = − =− . (29)
Figure 5. Forces due to static loading for short F′ 1
4ε
circular bearing
From the second of equations (25), from equations
Now, we consider a horizontally supported shaft (26) and (28) and using
with static loadings as shown in Figure 6. If F1 and
tan γ 1
F2 are the force components in the X and Y sin γ = , cos γ = , (30)
directions, respectively, then we have 1 + tan γ 2
1 + tan 2 γ

Y it follows that the relative static force is given by

Y′ − F0 X′
F2′ ε π 2 − π 2 ε 2 + 16ε 2
F0
= S∗ = . (31)
F′
1 γ Fµ 2 1− ε 2
2
( )
e CJ
This ratio is refered to as the bearing Summerfeld
number.
CB α X
In the dynamic case, the components of the fluid
film force, that is of the journal force in the X ′ Y ′ -
system shown in Figure 5, are
Figure 6. Special case of a static load

Mühendislik Bilimleri Dergisi 2005 11 (3) 335-343 340 Journal of Engineering Sciences 2005 11 (3) 335-343
 Calculation of Dynamic Coefficients for Fluid Film Journal Bearings, U. Yücel

2π
F1′ = ∫ q(θ , t ) cos θ Rdθ = Fµ f 1 (ε , ε, γ )
In general the relation between the force and the
motion is non-linear. For small displacements
π , (32)
2π x1 , x 2 and velocities x1 , x 2 of the journal center
F2 ′ = ∫ q(θ , t ) sin θ Rdθ = Fµ f 2 (ε , ε, γ )
π we linearize the forces F1 and F2 as follows

where ∂F1 ∂F1 ∂F1

F1 = F10 + x1 + x2 + x1
∂x1 ∂x 2 ∂x1
⎛ 2γ ⎞ 2ε 2 0 0 0
f 1 (ε , ε, γ ) = ⎜1 − ⎟
⎝ Ω ⎠ 1− ε 2 ( )2
+
∂F1
∂x 2
x 2

+
(
πε 1 + 2ε 2 ) 0
∂F ∂F ∂F
. (35)

(
Ω 1− ε 2 )
52
. (33)
F2 = F20 + 2
∂x1 0
x1 + 2
∂x 2 0
x2 + 2
∂x1 0
x1
⎛ 2γ ⎞ πε
f 2 (ε , ε, γ ) = −⎜1 − ⎟ ∂F2
⎝ Ω ⎠ 2 1− ε 2 ( )
32
+
∂x 2
x 2
4εε
0
−
(
Ω 1− ε 2 )
2
where the partial diffrentials with respect to
displacement and velocity are the stiffness and
As it was mentioned earlier the force components damping coefficients, respectively. These
relative to the XY-system are coefficients are to be calculated at the static
equilibrium and given by
F1 = F1′ cos γ − F2 ′ sin γ
. (34) ∂Fi ∂Fi
K ij = , C ij = , i = 1,2, j = 1,2 . (36)
F2 = F1′ sin γ + F2 ′ cos γ ∂x j
0
∂x j
0

With equations (32) to (34) the explicit relations for From equations (34), F1 and F2 are functions of
the magnitude and directions of the journal force are ε , γ and ε, γ . Thus, the required differentials are
obtained as functions of positions ε , γ and of
velocities ε, γ of the journal center C j .
∂Fi ∂Fi ∂ε ∂Fi ∂γ
= +
∂x j ∂ε ∂x j ∂γ ∂x j

4. DETERMINATION OF STIFFNESS ∂Fi ∂ε ∂Fi ∂γ

AND DAMPING COEFFICIENTS
For rotordynamic analysis we need to calculate the
perturbations in the forces (F1 , F2 ) which arise due
to a small vibration of the journal center about its
equilibrium position ( X 0 , Y0 ) under the static load
(F10 , F20 ) (see Fig. 7).
F2
Y x 2
x2
γ
Cj
Y0
e
Cb
X0
Figure 7. Coordinates for stiffness and damping
coefficients for short circular bearings
+ +
∂ε ∂x j ∂γ ∂x j
. (37)
∂Fi ∂Fi ∂ε ∂Fi ∂γ
= +
∂x j ∂ε ∂x j ∂γ ∂x j
∂Fi ∂ε ∂Fi ∂γ
+ +
∂ε ∂x j ∂γ ∂x j
The displacements dx1 , dx 2 in the XY-system
correspond to the displacements de, dγ as follows
Ω dx1 = dX 0 = cos γ de − e sin γ dγ
. (38)
dx 2 = dY0 = sin γ de + e cos γ dγ
x1 x1
Equations (38) can be solved for de, dγ to produce
X F1
de = cos γ dx1 + sin γ dx 2
. (39)
edγ = − sin γ dx1 + cos γ dx 2

Mühendislik Bilimleri Dergisi 2005 11 (3) 335-343 341 Journal of Engineering Sciences 2005 11 (3) 335-343
 Calculation of Dynamic Coefficients for Fluid Film Journal Bearings, U. Yücel

Considering that the derivatives of equations (37) Note that a MAPLE worksheet has been used to
are to be calculated at the static equilibrium, and derive the above coefficients. Figure 8 and Figure 9
remembering that ε = e c , we can write show the plots of the dimensionless stiffness and
damping coefficients versus the eccentricity ratio,
∂ε ∂ε cos γ ∂γ ∂γ sin γ respectively.
= = , = =−
∂x1 ∂x1 h0 ∂x1 ∂x1 e
. (40)
∂ε ∂ε sin γ ∂γ ∂γ cos γ
= = , = = 40
∂x 2 ∂x 2 h0 ∂x 2 ∂x 2 e *
K 11
*
30 K 12
K*21
Here, we note that under the condition of static 20 *
K 22
equilibrium, the first two terms on the right of the
second equations of (37) vanish. In addition, the last

K *i j
10
two terms on the right of the first equations of (37)
vanish since the derivatives ∂ε ∂x j and ∂γ ∂x j 0

vanish in view of equations (39). -10

-20
With these relationships, one finally obtains after
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0
transformation the following relationships for the
ε
stiffness and damping coefficients of the short
circular bearing
Figure 8. Dimensionless stiffness coefficients for
F0 * F0 * short circular bearing
K ij = K ij , C ij = C ij , (41)
h0 h0 Ω

40
where K ij* and C ij* are the dimensionless stiffness C*11
* *
C 12 =C21
and damping coefficients, respectively. They are 30 C
*
22
given by
*
K 11
⎢⎣
(
= ⎡ 2π 2 + 16 − π 2 ε 2 ⎤ Ψ (ε )
⎥⎦
) 20
C*i j

*
K 12 =
π π 2
− 2π ε
2 2
− (
16 −)π 2
ε4
Ψ (ε )
10

4
( )
ε 1− ε 2 12 0

*
K 21 =−
π π 2
+ 32 ( ) (
+ π 2 ε 2 + 32 − 2π 2 ε 4 (42) ) -10
4 ( )
ε 1− ε 2
12 0.0 0.2 0.4
ε
0.6 0.8 1.0

xΨ (ε )

K 22 =
*
( )
π 2 + 32 + π 2 ε 2 + 32 − 2π 2 ε 4 (
Ψ (ε )
) Figure 9. Dimensionless damping coefficients for
short circular bearing
1− ε 2

( )
These coefficients can now be inserted into the
( )
12
π 1− ε 2 ⎡ π 2 + 2π 2 − 16 ε 2 ⎤ Ψ (ε ) equation of motion of the journal. And then a
*
C11 =
2ε ⎢⎣ ⎥⎦ stability analysis can be performed. This subject
*
C12 = C 21
*
= − ⎡ 2π 2 + 4π 2 − 32 ε 2
⎢⎣
( ) ⎤ Ψ (ε ) ,(43)
⎥⎦
will not be considered in this work.

*
C 22 =
(
π π + 48 − 2π 2 ε 2 + π 2 ε 4
2
) Ψ (ε )
( )
2 12 5. CONCLUSIONS
ε 1− ε 2

where In this work, an analitycal method for computing the

stiffness and damping coefficients of short circular
bearings has been summurized. The concept of
Ψ (ε ) =
4
. (44)
[π + (16 − π )ε ]
stiffness and damping coefficients for journal
2 2 2 3 2
bearings has proven very fruitful, and modern rotor

Mühendislik Bilimleri Dergisi 2005 11 (3) 335-343 342 Journal of Engineering Sciences 2005 11 (3) 335-343
 Calculation of Dynamic Coefficients for Fluid Film Journal Bearings, U. Yücel
dynamic calculations for unbalance response,
damped natural frequencies, and stability are based
on this concept.
In recent years, extensive experimental works have
been carried out to measure the bearing coefficients.
Many rusults show good agrement with the
theoretical values. That is why many authors are
still using these coefficients obtained by the method
just described in this work in their stability analysis.
6. REFERENCES
Chids, D. 1993. Turbomachinery Rotordynamics,
Phenomena, Modeling, and Analysis, Texas A&M
University, College Station, Texas.
Goodwin, M. J. 1989. Dynamics of Rotor-Bearing
Systems, Unwin Hyman.
Hamrock, B. J. 1994. Fundamentals of Fluid Film
Lubrication, The Ohio State University, Columbus,
Ohio, McGraw-Hill, Inc.
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Kirk, R. G., and Gunter, E. J. 1976. Short Bearing
Analysis Applied to Rotor Dynamics Part I: Theory,
ASME Journal of Lubrication Technology, January,
47-56.
Kramer, E. 1993. Dynamics of Rotors and
Foundations, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg.
Rao, J. S. 1983. Rotor Dynamics, John Wiley and
Sons.
Szeri, A. Z. 1980. Tribology, Friction, Lubrication,
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Publishing Corporation.
Szeri, A. Z. 1987. Some Extensions of the
Lubrication Theory of Osborne Reynolds, ASME
Journal of Tribology, 109, 21-36.
Yucel, U. 2000. Effects of Labyrinth Seals on the
Stability of Rotors, PhD Dissertation, Lehigh
University, Bethlehem, PA, USA.
Yücel, U. 2003. Stability of Rotor-Bearing Systems,
Pamukkale University, Engineering College, Journal
of Engineering Sciences, 9 (3), 387-392.
343 Journal of Engineering Sciences 2005 11 (3) 335-343