Numerical Modeling of a Newtonian and a Bingham Fluid in a Rayleigh Step Bearing

The Reynolds lubrication equation is derived from fundamental equations governing fluid flows 1. There are several assumptions in Reynolds lubrication theory, one of which is on characteristic length ratio. Let the length scale in the “plane” of the film be denoted by $Lxz$ and let $Ly$ be the length scale across the film (Fig. 1(a)). We have $Ly/Lxz⩽O10−2$ for common bearing geometries. The characteristic length relationship in the inlet and outlet regions of a Rayleigh step bearing (Fig. 1(b)) is $Ly≪Lxz.$ However, this relationship changes in the vicinity of the step as $L...$