A simplified elastohydrodynamic contact model capturing the nonlinear vibration behaviour

A simplified model of elastohydrodynamic line contacts is presented. It consists of a series connection of a hydrodynamic and a Hertzian force element and is particularly suitable for nonlinear analysis of oscillatory systems. Since the model is based on physical reflections rather than on numerical curve fits it reveals the physical parameters. Due to its simplicity and compactness it allows for fast calculations and thus lends itself to investigations of large and complex mechanical systems with numerous elastohydrodynamic contacts. To demonstrate the usefulness of this model, the nonlinear vibration behaviour of a 1-DoF oscillator incorporating an elastohydrodynamic contact is investigated. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.