Solution of Reynolds Equation With Slip-Flow Effects by a Hierarchical Finite Element Formulation

Steady-state compressible isothermal lubrication problems with slip-flow conditions are formulated by the p-version hierarchical finite element method (p-FEM) together with the Newton-Raphson iterative procedure. Numerical solutions for gas lubricated bearings of finite and infinite width are presented. Even for high bearing number situations and coarse meshes, the current formulation yields stable, accurate and rapidly convergent results.