Simulation of Lubricated Contacts

Low Load Hydrodynamic and High Load Elasto-Hydrodynamic Modelling From Contact to System Levels

This course is designed to develop skills and knowledge in simulating lubricated contacts using numerical methods. Lubricated contacts form a lubricant film which completely or partially separates contacting surfaces.

This film of lubricant generates viscous friction, usually the largest contributor to the frictional losses. The pressure generated in the film is also different from dry contacts. Hence, this simulation affects any durability and surface fatigue analysis. The dissipated energy generates heat, leading to thermal behaviour of the contact which will also be discussed in this course.

Finally, as any numerical method, the computational tribology requires system considerations as well as experimental inputs to deliver realistic data. These two aspects will be covered appropriately in this course to ensure practicality of the developed knowledge.

By the end of this course, you will have developed a unique capability in simulating and predicting lubricated contacts.

Who should attend?

• Engineers dealing with systems which contain lubricated contacts, such as those with gears, bearings, seals, guideways and sliders.

• Engineers who design above systems for desired durability, friction and dynamic refinement.

What will you learn?

• Ascertaining regimes of lubrication for a simulation case.
• Calculating, pressure distribution, film thickness distribution, temperature distribution and friction in lubricated contacts.
• System level considerations, including how a lubricated contact behaves under dynamic loading and within a structure.
• Making a connection between the simulation and experiment on the same system.
• Taking into account oil availability in the system (starvation).