Numerical Solution for Contact Pressure Distributions in Misaligned Self-Lubricated Journal Bearings

A numerical method is presented for studying the three dimensional pressure and stress distribution conformal contact problem found in misaligned self-lubricated journal bearings. The modified Boussinesq force-displacement influence function and modified profile function are employed in conjunction with the integral equation discretization method and the mesh generation technique to analyze the contact pressure distribution and the axial contact length (separation point) within the misaligned pressure zone. The method has been implemented in a computer program and has been applied to the problems of misaligned and perfectly-aligned conformal contact. The results have been verified by comparison with the experimental data presented in the literature for the self-lubricated filament wound bearing under various conditions of load and misalignment. The agreement between the theory and experimental work is good within the framework of linear theory of elasticity.