A Strongly Coupled Finite Difference Method-Finite Element Method Model for Two-Dimensional Elastohydrodynamically Lubricated Contact

This paper presents a partitioned strongly coupled fluid-solid interaction (FSI) model to solve the 2D elastohydrodynamic (EHD) lubrication problem. The FSI model passes information between a control volume finite-difference discretized Reynolds equation and ABAQUS FINITE ELEMENT (FE) software to solve for the fluid pressure and elastic deformation within heavily loaded lubricated contacts. Pressure and film thickness results obtained from the FSI model under a variety of load and speed conditions were corroborated with open published results. The results are in excellent agreement. Details of the model developed for this investigation are presented with a focus on the simultaneous solution of the Reynolds equation, load balance, and the coupling of the solid ABAQUS FE with the finite-difference fluid (Reynolds) model. The coupled FSI model developed for this investigation provides the critical venue needed to investigate many important tribological phenomena such as plasticity, subsurface stress, and damage. The current FSI model was used to explore and demonstrate the efficacy of the model to investigate the effects of microstructure inhomogeneity, material fatigue damage, and surface features on heavily loaded lubricated contacts as can be found in a wide range of industrial, automotive, and aeronautical drive systems.