Summary

The present work deals with the development of an experiment al test rig used to evaluate the behavior of hydrodynamically lubricated radial be arings when submitted to the static and dynamic loads as well as misalignments. For static loads, attention is given to the hydrodynamics pr essure generated in the lubricant film as well as to the cavitation region, and comparisons with numeric results are performed. A finite volume methodology is used to the integration of the Reynolds equation that governs the lubrication problem. Visualizations of the cavitating film were performed so that the physical phenomena associated to the cavitation region could be better understood. For dynamic loads, the bearings orbit was monitored and compared to numeric results obtained using a finite element methodology for the integration of the Reynolds equation. The experimental evidences allowed alterations in the Reynolds Equation so that cavitation region in dynamic loads was better characterized. [...]

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