Shape optimization of a lubricated journal bearing with regard to the distribution of pressure in the fluid

Journal bearings with water as lubricating fluid and a rubber layer in the bearing housing are considered for shape optimization. The aim is to vary the shape of the bearing housing in order to reduce the high maximum pressure, which occurs in common journal bearings, for a longer durability of the layer material. In the optimization process a design element technique is used applying NURBS for geometric modeling of the journal bearing shape. The FE-analysis of this coupled problem is carried out by use of lubrication elements and enhanced assumed strain elements for the incompressible rubber layer. An analytical sensitivity analysis of the nonlinear problem is described and some results of the shape optimization are presented.