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Fluid-Structure Interaction Analysis of Load Capacity Characteristics for Main Bearing Bush in Marine Low-Speed Engine

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Abstract:

The main bearing bush is a critical component in marine low-speed engines, responsible for supporting the crankshaft and ensuring stable operation. Given the prohibitive costs and technical difficulties in conducting full-scale bearing tests for marine engines, this study employed fluid-structure interaction simulation to investigate the load capacity characteristics of the main bearing bush. The effects of eccentricity ratio on oil film pressure, bearing load, attitude angle, cavitation, stress, and deformation were analyzed. Results indicate that the load capacity, maximum oil film pressure, stress, and deformation of the bearing bush increase exponentially with higher eccentricity ratios. The stress in the bearing alloy layer is approximately half of the maximum oil film pressure, reaching critical thresholds when the eccentricity ratio exceeds 0.985 (yield strength) and 0.99 (tensile strength). Crankshaft system analysis under peak combustion pressure (19 MPa) reveals maximum bearing specific pressures of 13.9-15.6 MPa, exceeding the critical bearing specific pressure limit of 10.11 MPa that prevents the plastic deformation of the AlSn40 alloy layer, but remains safely below the 16.21 MPa threshold corresponding to the alloy's ultimate tensile strength. The study provides quantitative design criteria for bearing load management and operational safety margins, contributing to enhanced reliability and performance optimization of marine low-speed engine bearing systems.

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Periodical:

International Journal of Engineering Research in Africa (Volume 79)

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129-141

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4028/p-f6Ig4J

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Online since:

June 2026

Authors:

Xiao Hong Zhang, Qin Dong*

Keywords:

Fluid-Structure Interaction, Load Capacity, Main Bearing Bush, Marine Low-Speed Engine

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© 2026 Trans Tech Publications Ltd. All Rights Reserved

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