1.

INTRODUCTION
The parallel sliding smooth surfaces generate unstable hydrodynamic film by couette velocity
variations with zero pressure distribution which can collapse when the external force is applied. One
of the better methods to produce stable hydrodynamic film between the parallel sliding surfaces is by
providing the determined surface textures. Deterministic micro textures are the surface features that
have specific pattern in terms of shape, size, and orientation. Depending on the size, shape, orientation
and distribution of the textures, the hydrodynamic lubrication characteristics of the surface can vary
significantly. Surface textures are of two types, namely, protrusions (bumps, posts) and recesses
(holes) which are shown in the Fig. 1.

Figure1. Negative and Positive Asperities

2. LITERATURE REVIEW
In the modern technology, there are several techniques to make the surface textures including
chemical etching [1], laser ablation [2], LIGA process [3], Photolithography [4]. Etsion [5] explained
the different techniques to make the micro textures on the surfaces. The idea of an increased pressure
generated by micro-textures under conditions of hydrodynamic lubrication was originated in the late
1960s. Kligerman et al., [6] numerically analyzed the effect of surface textures on circumferential gas
seal by FEM modelling. It has been observed that the textures have significant effect on the
hydrodynamic performance of gas seal. A lot of research work has been done for the reduction of
friction on the reciprocating components and on mechanical seal [7-9].
Brizmer et al., [10] analytically finds the optimum area density of the dimples for maximum
load carrying capacity on the parallel thrust bearings by analyzing the full width textured and partial
width textured surfaces. Etsion et al., [11] experimentally analyze the model explained by Brizmer et
al., [10] and the results showed good correlation with the theoretical results. Siripuram et al., [12]
utilized numerical modelling techniques to explore the effect of basic asperity properties comprised of
shape, size, concavity and orientation on lubrication characteristics for a simple thrust slider
application. The authors examined different regular shapes, all distributed in square array. They found
that friction coefficient is largely independent of asperity shape and orientation but very sensitive to
asperity area fraction (size) and the leakage is dependent on asperity shape, concavity, orientation and
size. Mathematically, Buscaglia et al., [13] analyzed the effect of surface texture on the static
characteristics of thrust bearing. The result shows that the load carrying capacity increases and friction
coefficient decreases by including textures. Arghir et al., [14] utilized the numerical technique to
explore the lift effect due to the pressure generation in the different macro-roughness textured cell.
The results indicate that by increasing the convective inertia, the macro-roughness patterns produces
higher lift force on the flat surface. Rahmani et al., [15] solved the 1D Reynolds equation with
sommerfeld boundary condition for partially textured thrust bearing to find the optimum geometry of
square shaped micro-dimples. From the study it has been stated, for partially textured surfaces
increasing the number of dimples would not help in improving the load capacity or friction coefficient
in a pure hydrodynamic mode.
Cupillard et al., [16] numerically analyzed the inertia effect on textured parallel sliders in one
dimensional with Navier-Stokes equation and Stokes equation. The two types of models have been
solved by using finite volume method with software package CFX 11.0. The result shows depending

on the critical texture depth the inertial effect will be positive/negative due to this the load carrying
capacity changes. Recirculation flow in the dimple is the crucial factor for the pressure build-up and
for the load carrying capacity. For higher Reynolds number, stokes approach is unable to predict the
recirculation flow in the dimples correctly. Pascovici et al., [17] analytically solved the infinitely long
partially textured parallel slider excluding the inertia effect. The result shows that the load carrying
capacity is not varying after the number of textures is greater than 5 and the optimal non-dimensional
textured length is approximately 0.6 and optimal non-dimensional dimple depth 0.5-0.7 for different
non-dimensional texture density. Guzek et al., [18] developed a unified computational approach for
the optimization of 1D surface texture shapes on parallel thrust bearing. They transformed the
optimized shape problem into a combined optimal control and parameter selection problem which is a
non-linear constrained mathematical programming problem that can be efficiently and accurately
solved by optimal control software programs. Yu et al., [19] theoretically investigate the effect of
different textural shapes and orientations on hydrodynamic pressure generated between conformal
contacting surfaces. The results indicate that the shape and orientation have influence effect on load
carrying capacity of contacting surfaces.
2.1 Scope Of The Work
From the literature review, it is observed that the more research has been done on the dimple
spherical shape of negative textures and a little amount of work is done on different textured shapes
with/without including the inertia effect. There is a lack of knowledge in the other shape of textures
with/without inertia effects in the case of protrusions as well as in dimples.
2.2 Objectives Of The Work
The objectives of the work are as follows
Effect of different shapes (namely, square, circular, ellipsoidal, triangular, hexagonal and
dome), aspect ratio, height ratio and orientation of positive and negative textures which can
vary the performance characteristics of parallel sliding contacts.
Effect of fluid inertia on textured sliding contacts by two methods namely, first order
perturbation method and velocity profile method.
Effect of Multi-textures in transverse direction for both positive and negative textures with
fluid inertia effect.
3. THEORY
The theory of producing surface texutures and introducing the effect of fluid inertia in the
basic equations is explained in the following sub-sections.
3.1 Theory Of Surface Texture
The moving surface is separated from the stationary surface by the clearance C and the
square-shaped protrusions of length l and depth hg are uniformly distributed on the stationary surface
is shown in the Figs. 2 and 3. Since the protrusions are evenly distributed it is assumed that the
pressure distribution is periodic in the x-direction with a period equal to the imaginary cell size LX .
Because of this it is sufficient to consider the protrusions only in z-direction. In the present work, the
effect of single square-shaped protrusion on hydrodynamic performance of sliding contacts and
comparison of the effect of the number of textures in z-direction is calculated. It has assumed that the
imaginary cell is of square shape and each protrusion is located at the centre of each imaginary cell of
size LX LZ (See Fig. 4).

Fig. 2 A model of textured surface

Fig.3 Cross-section of the textured surface Fig. 4

Individual cell of single texture
The film thickness h between the parallel surfaces of positive textures is

C hg

above the protrusion

elsewhere

The film thickness h between the parallel surfaces of negative textures is

C hg

above the recess

elsewhere

The Non-dimensional quantities used to non-dimensionalize the film thickness is

h
h
, H g
C
C

The non-dimensional form of the film thickness for positive textures is

1 H

above the protrusion

elsewhere

The non-dimensional form of the film thickness for positive textures is

1 H

above the recess

elsewhere

3.2 Theory Of Fluid Inertia

Inertia effects will be significant in super-laminar flow, and/or when there is a rapid change in
the cross-section [20]. The Navier-Stokes equation with fluid inertia effect by neglecting the body
force is given as

 u
u
u
u
p
u
u v w
x
y
z
x y
y
t
p
0
y

w
w
w
w
p
w
u
v
w
x
y
z
z y
y
t

Navier-Stokes equation contains four unknowns, but there are only three equations. In order to solve
this mathematically, another one equation is needed which is involving the velocity components. This
equation is provided by the principle of conservation of mass. The resulting equation is known as the
equation of continuity.

u v w

0
t
x
y
z

The Non-dimensional quantities used to non-dimensionalize the Navier-stokes and continuity

equations are

x
z
LX
pC 2
y
u
vL
w
, x
, y , z
, u , v X , w ,k
LX
LZ
LZ
ULX
C
U
UC
U

C
UC
, Re
, Re
Re
C

LX

The non-dimensional form of the Navier-Stokes equation including the fluid inertia effect is

Re u

Re u

u
u
u
p 2u
v
kw 2
x
y
z
x y
w
w
w
p 2 w
v
kw k

x
y
z
z y 2

(1)

and the continuity equation is

u v
w

k
0
x
y
z

First-order perturbation series in Re was used to determine the pressure generated in the
conformal contacting surfaces.
Perturbation quantities:

p p0 Re p1
u u0 Re u1
v v0 Re v1
w w0 Re w1
First-order perturbation method gives better results only at smaller values of the ReducedReynolds number. Assume the flow is in the laminar region. Substitute the perturbation parameters in
the Eq. (1) and separate the zeroth and first order terms of Re .

Zeroth order term Re :

p0 2u0

x y 2

p0 2 w0

z
y 2
u0 v0
w0

k
0
x
y
z

0 k

First order term Re :

u0
u
u
p 2u
v0 0 kw0 0 1 21
x
y
z
x y
w
w
w
p 2 w
u0 0 v0 0 kw0 0 k 1 21
x
y
z
z y
u1 v1
w1

k
0
x
y
z
u0

From the zeroth order term, Reynolds equation can be derived as follows

p
p

h 3 0 k 2 h 3 0 6 h

x
x
z
z
x
For the iso-viscous fluid, should be constant.
p0
3 p0

h
h
k2 h3
6

x
x
z
z
x

(2)

From the first order term, the modified Reynolds equation can be derived for the solution of
perturb pressure

3 p1
2
3 p1

12

x
x
z
z
x

h y

h
K
dydydy

K
dydy

x
x
0 0 0

2 0 0

h y y

12k
z

h y

h
K z dydydy K z dydy

200
000

h y y

(3)

Where,

K x u0

u0
u
u
w
w
w
v0 0 kw0 0 K z u0 0 v0 0 kw0 0
x
y
z
x
y
z

The velocity components can be evaluated from the zeroth order terms

u0

1 p0
y
y y h
2 x
h

w0

1 p0
k
y y h
2 z

v0

u0 k w0 dy

0 x
z

The boundary conditions and the periodicity condition in non-dimensional form is given as
p0 ( x , z 1) 0, p0 ( x , z 0) 0
(5)

p0 ( x 0, z ) p0 ( x 1, z )

(6)
In the present analysis, Reynolds cavitation condition is used. It implies that, at the cavitation
boundary, the pressure gradient with respect to the direction normal to the boundary is zero. The Eqs.
(2), (3), and (4) is solved by finite difference method. A grid size of 150 150 100 N X N Z N Y
and the convergence of 10 6 was chosen based on the accuracy, the graphs are shown in the next
chapter. The finite difference method leads to a set of algebraic equations which should be solved

along with boundary condition Eq. (5) and periodicity condition Eq. (6). These equations are solved
with Gauss-Siedel iterative method which is convenient for the evaluation of pressure distribution
with previously unknown cavitation region.
After solving the equations, the pressure can be found as

p p0 Re p1
Once the pressure distribution is evaluated in the film region, the non-dimensional load
carrying capacity, non-dimensional end flow and friction parameter are calculated from the
expressions
1 1

W pdxdz
0 0

h y
kh 3 p1 h y y

kh 3 p0
h
Q
Re
K z dydydy K z dydy dx
12 z
200
12 z 0 0 0

0

F
( LX C )
W
1

Where,
h y
1 p1 h

1 p0 1
1
F Friction Force h
Re h
K x d y K x d ydy dxdz
2 x h

h 00
0 0
2 x 0

1 1

4. EFFECT OF SQUARE SHAPE PROTRUSION ON PARALLEL SLIDING CONTACTS

WITH INCLUDING THE FLUID INERTIA
The numerical analysis was performed to determine the effect of various non-dimensional
parameters like aspect ratio, texture height and Reynolds number on the steady-state hydrodynamic
performance characteristics of the parallel surface with single square-shaped protrusion by including
the inertia effect. The limits of these parameters are:
Aspect ratio (A): 0.1 A 0.9
Texture height ratio ( H ): 0.1 h 0.5
Reduced Reynolds number ( Re ): 0.2 Re 1.4
First, the mesh size and convergence parameter for pressure calculation are considered from the
following Fig. 5. The load carrying capacity variation is decreasing when the mesh size increases for
the convergence value of 106 .
0.28
Conv=1e-4
Conv=1e-5
Conv=1e-6

0.26

0.31
Non-dimensional loadcarryingcapacity

Non-dimensional Loadcarryingcapacity

0.24

0.32

0.22
0.2
0.18
0.16
0.14
0.12
50

100
N X and N Z

Mesh Size

150

200

0.3

0.29

0.28

0.27
0

20

40

60

80

Fig. 5 Mesh size and convergence of N X (Longitudinal), N Z (Transverse)

(across the film).

100

120

Ny mesh size

140

160

180

and NY

200

From the figures, it has been concluded, for further calculation mesh size of 150 X 150 X100
for the convergence value of 10 6 is considered. To validate the results obtained by the numerical
analysis, the comparison is made with Ref [12] by making Re 0 , since the inertia effect is neglected
in Ref. [12]. Fig. 6 shows the comparison of film thickness (above the protrusion) with the Ref. [12],
it shows the good correlation. The slight variation is due to the difference in mesh size.

Film Thickness (m)

10

Ref[21]
Present

8
6
4
2
0

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

Aspect Ratio ( A)

0.8

1.0

Fig. 6 Comparison of film thickness

The first order perturbation method is used to determine the inertia effect and it is suitable for the nondimensional Reynolds number less than one due to more approximation associated with first order
perturbation method [20]. The validation of the fluid inertia governing modified Reynolds equation
has been carried out for the case of plain journal bearing. The results are compared with the Refs [21]
and [22] are shown in the Table. 1.
Table 1. Comparison of fluid inertia effect for the case of journal bearing
Re
L/D

W
W (Kakoty) W (Chen) Q (Present) Q (Chen) CF (Present)
(Present)
0.2
0.5092
0.5042
0.5013
0.3424
0.3190
12.8235
0.5
1.7793
1.7903
1.779
0.8595
0.7838
4.3328
0
1
0.8
7.1574
7.4597
7.146
1.3777
1.236
1.7166
0.9
17.0266
17.7139
16.982
1.5333
1.384
1.0560
0.2
0.5119
0.5047
0.5041
0.3465
0.3300
12.7207
0.5
1.7972
1.7935
1.785
0.8857
0.8533
4.2672
0.28
1
0.8
7.2048
7.2540
7.151
1.4467
1.414
1.6981
0.9
17.0847
17.1437
16.993
1.6206
1.606
1.0496
0.2
0.5147
0.5056
0.5051
0.3506
0.3410
12.6191
0.5
1.8152
1.8009
1.790
0.9119
0.9229
4.2029
0.56
1
0.8
7.2522
7.2860
7.159
1.5157
1.591
1.6799
0.9
17.1428
17.194
17.002
1.7080
1.828
1.0433
0.2
0.5230
0.5081
0.5086
0.3628
0.3823
12.3203
0.5
1.8691
1.8230
1.807
0.9905
1.192
4.0170
1.4
1
0.8
7.3949
7.379
7.187
1.7228
2.316
1.6265
0.9
17.3174
17.349
17.030
1.97
2.761
1.0245
The variation of non-dimensional load carrying capacity ( W ), non-dimensional end flow ( Q
) and friction parameter ( ( LX C ) ) with texture height ratio ( H ) for the case of single-square
shaped protrusion is shown in the Fig. 7 for the aspect ratio of 0.2. The figure shows that the inertia
effect is predominant for H 0.3 . It is obvious that with increase in the texture height, film thickness
decreases, which in-turn develops the higher pressure. There is increase in load carrying capacity with
the fluid inertia effect. Friction parameter is inversely related to the non-dimensional load carrying
capacity.

0.35

2.5

0.3

2
0.25

1.5

0.2
0.15

1
0.1

0.5

0
0.1

0.05
0
0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

0.3

0.35

0.4

0.45

0.5

0.55

0.15

0.2

0.25

0.3

0.35

0.4

0.45

0.5

0.55

0.6

0.6

Texture height ratio ( H )

Texture height ratio ( H )

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

0.3

0.35

0.4

0.45

0.5

0.55

0.6

Texture height ratio ( H )

Fig. 7 Variation of Non-dimensional Load carrying capacity, End flow and Friction parameter with
Texture height ratio.
Fig. 7, shows the hydrodynamic performance characteristics gives better result as the nondimensional texture height increases. Fig. 8 shows the variation of W and Q with the aspect ratio for

H 0.4 . The W and Q increases at lower aspect ratio but decreases at higher aspect ratios. As the
texture size increases, the area of constant film thickness increases due to which the pressure
distribution gets uniform over the region and thus the W is reduced. As the texture size increases

there is increase in obstruction to the flow due to which the Q is reduced. The ( LX C ) is just the
inversion of the W . The W is maximum for the aspect ratio of 0.4, the Q is maximum for the aspect
ratio in between 0.2-0.3 and the ( LX C ) is minimum for the aspect ratio in between 0.3-0.4.

Texture Height=0.4

0.22

0.09

0.2

0.08
0.07

0.16
Non-dimensional fow

Non-dimensional load carrying capacity

0.18

0.14
0.12
0.1
0.08

0.06
0.05
0.04
0.03
0.02

0.06
0.04
0.1

Texture Height=0.5

0.1

0.01

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5
Aspect Ratio

0.6

0.7

0.8

0
0.1

0.9

0.2

0.3

Aspect ratio ( A)

0.4

0.5
0.6
Aspect Ratio

0.7

0.8

0.9

Aspect ratio ( A)

40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

Aspect ratio ( A)
Fig.8 Variation of load carrying capacity, end flow and friction parameter with aspect ratio by varying
Reynolds number
The variation of hydrodynamic performance characteristics with the aspect ratio is shown in the Fig. 9
for Re 0.4 .
Reynolds Number=0.4

0.35

0.07

0.3

0.06
Non-dimensional fow

Non-dimensional load carrying capacity

0.25
0.2
0.15

0.05
0.04
0.03

0.1

0.02

0.05

0.01

0
0.1

Reynolds Number=0.4

0.08

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5
Aspect Ratio

0.6

Aspect ratio ( A)

0.7

0.8

0.9

0
0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5
Aspect Ratio

0.6

Aspect ratio ( A)

0.7

0.8

0.9

Reynolds Number=0.4

160
140
120

Frictional parameter

100
80
60
40
20
0
0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5
Aspect Ratio

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

Aspect ratio ( A)
Fig.9 Variation of load carrying capacity, end flow and friction parameter with aspect ratio by varying
texture height ratio
From the above results, it can be concluded that the aspect ratio should be low and the nondimensional texture height should be high to get the better performance characteristics results.
5. EFFECT OF THE DIFFERENT SHAPE OF POSITIVE TEXTURES ON PARALLEL
SLIDING SURFACES
The numerical analysis is performed for the effect of different shapes of positive textures
namely, Square, Circular, Hexagonal, Dome, Triangular (apex perpendicular to flow) and Ellipsoidal
(major axis is parallel to flow) on the tribological performance characteristics of the parallel sliding
contacts including the fluid inertia. To validate the numerical results, comparison is made with the Ref
[12] by making Re 0 because the analysis done in the Ref [12] is without including the fluid
inertia. Figure 10 shows the comparison of different shapes of textures with the Ref [12], a good
correlation is obtained. The variation is due to the mesh size.
0.40

7.0

Reference [21]
--------- Present

6.0

Triangular
Hexagonal

5.5
5.0
4.5
4.0

Circular

Square

3.5
3.0
2.5

0.35
Coefficient of friction ( )

Film thickness ( m)

6.5

0.2

0.4
0.6
Aspect Ratio

0.8

Square

0.30
0.25
Hexagonal

0.20
0.15
0.10

0.0

Reference [21]
---------- Present

1.0

Triangular
Circular
0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

Aspect ratio

Fig. 10 Validation results of different shape of textures

The maximum aspect ratios of the different shapes of textures in an imaginary cell are shown in the
Table. 1.
Sl. No
1

Table. 1. Maximum aspect ratios of different shapes

Unit Cell
Description Maximum Aspect ratio
Square

0.9

1.0

Circular

0.78

Hexagonal

0.65

Dome

0.78

Ellipsoidal

0.38

Triangular

0.32

The effect of different shape of textures on parallel sliding contacts with the variation of aspect ratio
for a certain value of Re 0.4 and H 0.4 is shown in the Fig. 11. As the aspect ratio increases,
the non-dimensional load carrying capacity ( W ) first increases and then decreases for the cases of all
shapes of textures except triangular and dome. This is because as the aspect ratio increases, the more
area has the constant film thickness which uniforms the pressure distribution over the surface and thus
the W is reduced. As the aspect ratio increases, the fluid gets more obstruction to the flow and thus
the Q is reduced.
0.2
0.15
0.1
0.05
0

0.07
0.06
0.05
0.04
0.03
0.02
0.01

30
25
20
15
10
5
0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

Aspect ratio ( A)
Fig. 11 Effect of different shapes on non-dimensional load carrying capacity, non-dimensional end
flow and friction parameter with the aspect ratio.

The triangular shape of texture shows better non-dimensional load carrying capacity( W ) than the
other shapes. The hexagonal shape shows higher preferential end flow than the other shapes.
For initial values of aspect ratio, the dome shape have lower non-dimensional load carrying capacity,
non-dimensional end flow and higher friction parameter but after the aspect ratio of 0.3 elliptical have
lower non-dimensional load carrying capacity, non-dimensional end flow and higher friction
parameter. For an aspect ratio of A 0.2 and Re 0.4 the effect of different shape of textures with
the variation of texture height ratio is shown in the Fig. 12. The non-dimensional load carrying
capacity, non-dimensional end flow increases and friction parameter decreases with the texture height
ratio. This is because as the texture height increases the film thickness decreases which develops
higher pressure and thus the non-dimensional load carrying capacity increases and friction parameter
is just inversely proportional to the non-dimensional load carrying capacity. The triangular shape
shows better load carrying capacity at higher texture height ratio and the hexagonal shape gives higher
preferential end flow than the other shapes. Except dome and elliptical, remaining shapes has
negligible difference in the friction parameter. Form this it can be concluded that the friction
parameter is independent for some shape of textures not for any shape.
1.5

0.5

0.25
0.2
0.15
0.1
0.05
0

80
60
40
20
0
0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

0.3

0.35

0.4

0.45

0.5

0.55

0.6

Texture height ratio ( H )

Fig. 12 Effect of different shapes on the non-dimensional load carrying capacity, non-dimensional end
flow and friction parameter with the texture height ratio.
Effect of the shape of textures on the performance parameters with the fluid inertia i.e., by varying
reduced Reynolds number is shown in the Fig. 13 for a certain value of A 0.2 and H 0.4 . The
figure clearly shows that the fluid inertia has significant effect on the performance parameters of

different shapes. The non-dimensional load carrying capacity, non-dimensional end flow increases
and friction parameter decreases with the variation of reduced Reynolds number. The effect of fluid
inertia in dome shape is very small when compared with the other textures. The triangular shows
higher non-dimensional load carrying capacity and lower friction parameter whereas hexagonal shows
higher preferential non-dimensional end flow.
0.25
0.2
0.15
0.1
0.05

0.06
0.05
0.04
0.03
0.02

16
14
12
10
8
6

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.2

1.4

Reduced Reynolds number (Re)

Fig. 13 Effect of different shapes on non-dimensional load carrying capacity, non-dimensional end
flow and friction parameter with reduced Reynolds number.
From the Figs. 11, 12 and 13, it can be concluded that the friction parameter is independent of some
shape of the texture but not for any shape. The triangular shape gives better non-dimensional load
carrying capacity and friction parameter when compared with the other shape of textures. From the
sealing point of view, the hexagonal shape gives better performance parameters than the other shapes.
6. EFFECT OF SQUARE-SHAPED MULTI-TEXTURES IN TRANSVERSE-DIRECTION ON
PARALLEL SLIDING SURFACES
The effect of the number of textures in the transverse-direction is analyzed for the
hydrodynamic performance on the square-shaped texture parallel sliding surface. The effect of
number of textures on the hydrodynamic performance for a reduced Reynolds number and aspect ratio
of 0.4 and 0.2 respectively is shown in Fig. 14.

0.9

0.16

0.8

0.14

0.7

0.12

0.6
0.1
0.5
0.08
0.4
0.06

0.3

0.04

0.2

0.02

0.1
0
1

0
1

80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1

Fig. 14 Comparison of number of textures with load carrying capacity, end flow and friction
parameter for different texture height.
Fig. 10 shows that as the number of textures increases in the z-direction, the W and Q
decreases and ( LX C ) increases. The reduction of Q is favourable interms of leakage point of
view. For a particular H and A values of 0.2 and 0.4 respectively, the steady-state performance
characteristics are shown in the Fig. 15.
0.18

0.046
0.044

0.16
0.042
0.14

0.04
0.038

0.12
0.036
0.1

0.034
0.032

0.08
0.03
0.06
1

0.028
1

15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
1

Fig. 15 Comparison of number of textures with load carrying capacity, end flow and friction
parameter for different Reynolds number.
The Q is reduced further with inertia effect incomparison with the Q without inertia when the
number of textures increases more than five (See Fig. 15). From the above results, it is observed that
the number of textures should be less in the z-direction.
7. EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF POSITIVE MICRO-TEXTURES ON THRUST PAD
BEARING
Experimental setup used for conducting the experiment is shown in the Fig. 16

Fig. 16 Experimental set-up

1. Thrust pad 2. Monitor 3. Proximity probe 4. DAQ card 5. Loading arm
6. Controller 7. Strain measuring system (SCAD 500) 8. Tachometer

The test specimens were made by using Aluminium foil of 5m thickness. Different orientations of
texture are shown in Table. 2
Orientation

Table 2. Different shape and orientation of textures

Square (Area=100mm2)
Triangle (Area=100mm2)

0 degree

30 degree

60 degree

90 degree

The results are obtained by varying speed for different load conditions, the Fig. 17 shows the
variations of film thickness with the speed. From the figure, it is observed that, for the case of low
load, the film thickness is decreasing as the speed increases.

Fig. 17 Variation of film thickness with speed for a particular load conditions
This is because of the cavitation pressure which causes the thrust pad to move towards the runner. But
at high loads, it is following the usual trend i.e., as speed increase the film thickness is increasing. It is
also seen that square texture with 00 orientation is having quite better film thickness compared to
other orientation and shape of textures at all loads and speeds. Figure 18 shows the variation of
frictional torque with speed for a particular load, it is observed from the figure that for the case of
high load, frictional torque is increasing with speed for all texture shapes and orientations because
frictional torque is proportional to speed.

Fig. 18 Variation of frictional torque with speed

It is also seen that frictional torque is lower for square texture 0 degree orientation and is higher for
plain bearing. In case of triangular texture, 60o orientation is showing low frictional torque.

8. CONCLUDING REMARKS
In the present work, the numerical technique is used to explore the effect of fluid inertia on the
different shaped protrusions of the parallel sliding contacts. From the results, it has been concluded
that
1. There is a significant change in the non-dimensional load carrying capacity ( W ), nondimensional end flow ( Q ) and friction parameter ( ( LX C ) ) when the fluid inertia effect is
considered.
2. The performance characteristics are very sensitive with the Reynolds number.
3. The aspect ratio should be low to get the better hydrodynamic performance characteristics.
The W is maximum for the aspect ratio of 0.4, the Q is maximum for the aspect ratio in
between 0.2-0.3 and the CF is minimum for the aspect ratio in between 0.3-0.4.
4. The number of textures in the transverse-direction should be less to get the high W and low

CF .
5. As the number of textures increases in transverse-direction the Q decreases, which is
favorable from the application point of view to prevent the leakage.
6. The friction parameter is independent of some shape of the texture but not for any shapes.
7. The triangular shape of texture shows better performance than the other shape of textures.
8. For sealing point of view, the hexagonal texture shows better result than the other shape of
textures.
The main limitation of the present work is this method is applicable for smaller values of nondimensional Reduced Reynolds number because the first order perturbation method is mainly
preferable for small perturbs.
9. FUTURE PLAN OF THE WORK
Effect of the orientation of positive textures on the parallel sliding surfaces including the fluid
inertia by the method of perturbation.
Effect of the different shapes, aspect ratio, height ratio and orientation of negative textures on
the parallel sliding surfaces including the fluid inertia by the method of perturbation.
Effect of different shapes, aspect ratio, height ratio and orientation of the positive and
negative textures on the parallel sliding surfaces including the inertia effect by the method of
velocity profile.
Effect of multi-textures in transverse direction for different shape, aspect ratio, height ratio
and orientation of positive and negative textures including the fluid inertia by two methods
namely perturbation and velocity profile.

10. NOMENCLATURE
C
= maximum clearance between the surfaces
= length of the imaginary cell in x-direction
LX

LZ
Nx , N y , Nz
Re
U

h
hg
k

= length of the imaginary cell in y-direction

= mesh size in x, y and z directions respectively
= Reynolds number
= maximum velocity in x-z plane
= film thickness of the lubricant
= height of the protrusion

u0 , v0 , w0

= ratio of the imaginary cell lengths ( LX LZ )

= length of the square protrusion
= pressure of the lubricant film
= velocity components in the x, y and z directions respectively
= non-dimensional steady state velocity components

u1 , v1 , w1

= non-dimensional first order perturb velocity components

p
u, v, w

A
F
H
Q

Re
(R C)

= aspect ratio ( area of textured surface area of imaginary cell )

= non-dimensional friction force
= texture height ratio (texture height/maximum clearance between the
surfaces)
= non-dimensional end flow
= Reduced Reynolds number
= non-dimensional friction parameter

W
h
H
p
p0

= non-dimensional load carrying capacity

= non-dimensional film thickness
= texture height ratio
= non-dimensional pressure of lubricant film
= steady-state non-dimensional pressure

p1
x, y, z

= non-dimensional first order perturb pressure

= non-dimensional co-ordinates ( y non-dimension is across the film)
= dynamic viscosity of the lubricant
= density of the lubricant
= non-dimensional density of the lubricant

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