Restricted accessResearch articleFirst published online 2025
Fuzzy inference and multi-objective genetic algorithm based optimization of micro-grooved two-lobe journal bearing operating with magnetorheological lubricant
This study deals with the finite element method-based simulations of a textured surface, two-lobe journal bearing operating with a magnetorheological (MR) lubricant—a smart fluid composed of fine magnetic particles suspended in a carrier fluid. The flow of the MR lubricant within the textured bearing, which incorporates rectangular micro-grooves along axial directions, is modeled using Reynolds’ equation. The Bingham plastic model defines the MR fluid's viscosity, accounting for the influence of yield stress, magnetic field, and shear-strain rate. The Reynolds equation is solved using the finite element method to determine film pressure, film direct stiffness coefficients, threshold speed, journal trajectories and limit cycles. A Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm (MOGA) is used to optimize rectangular micro-groove attributes (i.e., number, width, depth and length) to maximize the direct film stiffness coefficients and threshold speed of stability. A robust design recommendation is proposed based on Fuzzy-based Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm (Fuzzy-MOGA) optimization, targeting improved film stiffness coefficients and threshold speed. The results exhibit a stable and resilient optimization landscape, with minimal sensitivity to input variations. The numerical results demonstrate that the combined use of MR lubricant, two-lobe geometry and surface texturing enhances stiffness coefficients (116.7%∼850.8%) and threshold speed (81.3%). The two-lobe bearing with partial surface texturing in the leading half demonstrates the highest dynamic stability, as evidenced by threshold speed, minimal journal center trajectories and compact limit cycles.
BouyerJFillonMPierre-DanosI. Influence of wear on the behavior of a two-lobe HJB subjected to numerous startups and stops. J Tribol2006; 129: 205–208.
2.
CrosbyWAChettiB. The static and dynamic characteristics of a two-lobe journal bearing lubricated with couple-stress fluid. Tribol Trans2009; 52: 262–268.
RamNSharmaSC. Analysis of orifice compensated non-recessed hole-entry hybrid journal bearing operating with micropolar lubricants. Tribol Int2012; 52: 132–143.
5.
DasBJRoyL. Analysis and comparison of steady-state performance characteristics of two-axial groove and multilobe hydrodynamic bearings lubricated with non-Newtonian fluids. Proc Inst Mech Eng, J: J Eng Tribol2018; 232: 1581–1596.
6.
DhandeDYPandeDWLanjewarGH. Numerical analysis of three-lobe HJB using CFD–FSI technique based on response surface evaluation. J Braz Soc Mech Sci Eng2018; 40: 393.
7.
HiraniH. Multiobjective optimization of a journal bearing using the pareto optimality concept. Proc Inst Mech Eng, J: J Eng Tribol2004; 218: 323–336.
8.
RoyLKakotySK. Application of genetic algorithm in optimization of hydrodynamic bearings. Adv Intell Syst Comput2014; 1: 207–217.
9.
ZhangYHeLYangJ, et al.Multi-objective optimization design of a novel integral squeeze film bearing damper. Machines2021; 9: 206.
10.
ShaltoutMLHegaziHA. Multi-objective design optimization of hydrodynamic journal bearings using a hybrid approach. Ind Lubrication Tribol2021; 73: 1052–1060.
11.
SinghAKKumarVSinghSJ. Multiobjective optimization of hydrostatic thrust bearing operating with electrorheological lubricant using taguchi-fuzzy technique. Proc Inst Mech Eng, J: J Eng Tribol2024; 238: 1413–1432.
12.
IbatanTUddinMSChowdhuryMAK. Recent development on surface texturing in enhancing tribological performance of bearing sliders. Surf Coat Technol2015; 272: 102–120.
13.
SharmaNVermaRSharmaS, et al.Qualitative potentials of surface textures and coatings in the performance of fluid-film bearings: a critical review. Surf Topogr: Metrol Proper2021; 9: 013002.
Tala-IghilNFillonM. A numerical investigation of both thermal and texturing surface effects on the journal bearings static characteristics. Tribol Int2015; 90: 228–239.
16.
SchuhJKLeeYHAllisonJT, et al.Design-Driven modeling of surface-textured full-film lubricated sliding: validation and rationale of nonstandard thrust observations. Tribol Lett2017; 65: 1–17.
17.
GaldaLSepJOlszewskiA, et al.Experimental investigation into surface texture effect on journal bearings performance. Tribol Int2019; 136: 372–384.
18.
SharmaSJamwalGAwasthiRK. Enhancement of steady state performance of hydrodynamic journal bearing using chevron-shaped surface texture. Proc Inst Mech Eng, J: J Eng Tribol2019; 233: 1833–1843.
19.
ChenYFengJSunY, et al.Effect of groove shape on the hydrodynamic lubrication of journal bearing considering cavitation. Eng Comput (Swansea)2019; 37: 1557–1576.
20.
RaoTVVLNRaniAMohamedAM, et al.Static and stability analysis of partial slip texture multi-lobe journal bearings. Proc Inst Mech Eng, J: J Eng Tribol2020; 234: 567–587.
21.
TorabiAAlidoustiMH. Numerical and experimental study of elastohydrodynamic grease lubrication of dimple textured surfaces. Acta Mech2023; 234: 2919–2931.
22.
MichalecMSvobodaPKrupkaI, et al.Tribological behaviour of smart fluids influenced by magnetic and electric field–A review. Tribol Ind2018; 40: 515–528.
23.
AhamedRChoiSBFerdausMM. A state of art on magneto-rheological materials and their potential applications. J Intell Mater Syst Struct2018; 29: 2051–2095.
24.
CarlsonJD. MR Fluids and devices in the real world. Int J Mod Phys B2005; 19: 1463–1470.
25.
JangSTichyJA. Internal damper characteristics of rotor system with submerged ER fluid journal bearing. Int J Rotating Mach1997; 3: 61–71.
26.
UrretaHLeichtZSanchezA. Hydrodynamic bearing lubricated with magnetic fluids. J Intell Mater Syst Struct2010; 21: 1491–1499.
27.
BomposDANikolakopoulosPG. CFD Simulation of magnetorheological fluid journal bearings. Simul Model Pract Theory2011; 19: 1035–1060.
28.
LaukiavichCABraunMJChandyAJ. A comparison between the performance of ferro-and magnetorheological fluids in a hydrodynamic bearing. Proc Inst Mech Eng, J: J Eng Tribol2014; 228: 649–666.
QuinciFLitwinWWodtkeM, et al.A comparative performance assessment of a hydrodynamic journal bearing lubricated with oil and magnetorheological fluid. Tribol Int2021; 162: 107143.
31.
SinghAKKumarVSinghSJ, et al.Performance of hybrid thrust bearing textured surface operating with electro-rheological lubricant. Proc Inst Mech Eng, J: J Eng Tribol2023; 237: 911–925.
32.
TomarAKSatishSCSahuK. Performance analysis of textured spherical hybrid journal bearings operated with magnetorheological fluid. J Tribol2024; 146: 014602.
33.
ShindeABPawarPM. Multi-objective optimization of surface textured journal bearing by taguchi based grey relational analysis. Tribol Int2017; 114: 349–357.
34.
YadavSKKusharePPatilA. Study on partial ER fluid hybrid two-lobe hole-entry journal bearing with genetic algorithm for bionic surface. Proc Inst Mech Eng, J: J Eng Tribol2025; 239: 1006–1025.
35.
DeySReangNMDebM, et al.Study on performance-emission trade-off and multi-objective optimization of diesel-ethanol-palm biodiesel in a single cylinder CI engine: a taguchi-fuzzy approach. Energy Sources Part A2020; 46: 8498–8518.
36.
YadavSKThakreGDKhatriCB. Improvement in textured hole-entry hybrid journal bearing system by using multi-objective genetic algorithm. J Braz Soc Mech Sci Eng2022; 44: 32.
37.
AnbuchandranSKalarathiMSureshS, et al.Multi-objective optimal distributed generators integration using firefly algorithm with fuzzy decision making. Electr Eng2024; 106: 6113–6130.
38.
ShaltoutMLHegaziHA. Multi-objective design optimization of hydrodynamic journal bearings using a hybrid approach. Ind Lubric Tribol2021; 73: 1052–1060.
39.
LiYHeYLuoJ. Multi-objective optimization of surface texture shape in fluid mechanical face seals using mass-conserving cavitation boundary condition. Proc Inst Mech Eng, J: J Eng Tribol2024; 238: 581–599.
40.
GuYWangDChengL, et al.A novel method to achieve fast multi-objective optimization of hydrostatic porous journal bearings used in hydraulic turbomachine. J Fluids Eng2024; 145: 051205.
41.
KhatriCBYadavSKThakreGD, et al.Design optimization of vein-bionic textured hydrodynamic journal bearing using genetic algorithm. Acta Mech2024; 235: 167–190.
42.
SinghAKumarVSinghSJ. Optimization of ER lubricated textured hybrid thrust bearing performance using a surrogate model and nature-inspired algorithm. J Tribol2025; 147: 104109.
43.
NarwatKKumarVSinghSJ, et al.Performance of rough surface hydrodynamic circular and multi-lobe journal bearings in turbulent regimes. Proc Inst Mech Eng, J: J Eng Tribol2023; 237: 860–880.
44.
NarwatKKumarVSinghSJ, et al.Stability analysis of electrorheological (ER) lubricant operated multilobe hydrodynamic journal bearing. Ind Lubric Tribol2023; 76: 1157–1167.
