Analysis of Coupled Poroviscoelasticity and Hydrodynamic Lubrication

As the state of the art pushes triboelements toward greater capabilities and longevity, the need for evolving triboelement technology exists. The following work explores a novel coupling of phenomena inspired by biomimetics. A poroviscoelastic substrate coupled to a fluid film load is modeled and compared to its rigid counterpart. It is hypothesized that poroviscoelasticity can improve triboelement properties such as damping and wear resistance and have utility in certain applications where flexibility is desired (e.g., biomechanical joint replacements, flexible rotordynamic bearings, and mechanical seals). This study provides the framework for the analysis of flexible, porous viscoelastic materials and hydrodynamic lubrication.