In this paper, a computational investigation of thermohydrodynamic performance andmechanical deformations of a fixed-geometry thrust bearing with artificial surfacetexturing is presented. A parallel eight-pad bearing is considered; the surface of eachpad is partially textured with square dimples. Here, a CFD-based thermohydrodynamicmodeling approach, recently introduced by the authors, is used to calculate theperformance of the bearing; the THD results are then used to quantify the deformations ofthe bearing mechanical parts. The bearing is modelled as a sector-shaped channel,consisting of a smooth rotating wall (thrust collar) and a partially textured stationarywall (bearing pad). The bearing performance characteristics are computed by means ofnumerical simulations, based on the numerical solution of the Navier-Stokes and energyequations for incompressible flow, as well as on the solution of the elasticity equationsfor the bearing solid parts. Here, a reference texture geometry is considered, whileproper thermal and structural boundary conditions are implemented. For representative filmthickness values, the effect of rotational speed and collar thickness on bearingperformance is quantified, and the resulting pad and rotor deformation fields arecomputed. It is found that, due to oil heating, the load carrying capacity decreases withrotational speed for values higher that approximately 2000 rpm. The computed rotordeformation field is representative of a fixed support beam, characterized bysubstantially higher levels than those of the bearing pad. Rotor deformations increasesubstantially at low values of collar thickness.

Large thrust bearings are highly loaded machine elements and their failures cause seriouslosses. Start ups and stoppages of the bearing under load are specially critical regimesof operation. Load carrying capacity depends on the profile of the oil gap. In transientstates this profile is also changing. In the design of large thrust bearings minimizingthermo-elastic deformations is an important goal, which can be accomplished due toapplication of advanced models of the bearing. Modeling of transient states becomes evenmore complex since there is a dynamic development of temperature distribution anddeformations. Often hydrostatic jacking systems are also used. It seems to the authorsthat advanced bearing models are applied only in research and development of the bearingswhile very simple modeling is applied in on-line analysis of data from monitoring systems.Analysis of the measurement data with the use of more sophisticated models may be helpfulin assessment of current bearing status – especially in early warning. Material issuescreate a separate problem for modeling, being more important nowadays as polymer linedbearings come into use. The models used for polymer lined bearings require realistictreatment of heat exchange and resilience of the bearing surface layer.