Prediction of Wear Failure in Journalpin Bearings

Abstract

Wear damage is a common failure in engine bearing shells. Wear failure induces changes in the bearing geometry and affects the oil film pressure and the durability of bearing shells. In this paper, wear failure in journalpin (main) bearings of a reciprocating engine is studied. Using a dynamic model, forces and torques in the journalpin bearings have been calculated and used in the analysis. To calculate the lubricating characteristics of the bearing, such as minimum oil film thickness and maximum oil film pressure, the Elasto-HydroDynamic (EHD) model that incorporate mass conservation algorithms is utilized. Wear failure in journalpin bearings of a reciprocating engine is assessed and the results are presented. Archard’s model is used as a wear model of journalpin-bearing material. The asperity interaction of two rough surfaces is considered by the boundary lubrication model. The results show that the wear rate at the initial stage of engine running is high. The results indicate that the main reason for wear in the journalpin bearings is the applied torque on the bearing, leading to edge wear. In a V-12 or 6Inline engine, journalpin bearing number 4 has the highest amount of torque applied and therefore has the highest amount of wear.