Steady Turbulent Couette Flow

Abstract

Dissipative heating in turbulent Couette flow is determined by a dimensionless fluid-friction coefficient, C _F, which is itself determined by wall roughness and Reynolds number. Turbulent heating can be related to film thickness by a simple equation, which may then be incorporated into the equations for relative expansion and seizure. A critical Reynolds number determines the transition from laminar to turbulent flow. This is strongly affected by thermal boundary conditions and the sensitivity of viscosity to temperature. These effects also dominate the process of bearing seizure at high turning speeds.