Turbulent model analysis and experimental research for lubrication performance of large power units journal bearing

The suitability of different turbulent models for journal bearings needs to be analyzed from both their static and dynamic performances. In this paper, based on experimental results and theoretical results under different turbulent models, including Ng-Pan, Philip Aoki, Constantinescu and Hirs model, that which turbulent model is appropriate to analyze the static and dynamic performance of large power unit journal bearings is studied. The comparison between the theoretical and experimental results shows that the theoretical results in Ng-Pan turbulent model are the closest to the test results for a Phi360 mm elliptical journal bearing. But for a Phi480 mm elliptical journal bearing, the most suitable turbulent model to the test results is Philip Aoki model. The comparative results also show that the relative flow difference of journal bearing among the different turbulent models is less than 6%; in the rated speed (3000 rpm) condition, the largest and the smallest difference in calculated results in different turbulent models is about 20.7% in main vertical stiffness, and about 10.1% in the main vertical damping.