This study presents a comprehensive numerical investigation of fluid film journal bearings subjected
to varying eccentricity ratios using a fully coupled Fluid–Structure Interaction (FSI) approach. The
fluid domain is solved using CFD, and structural deformation of the bearing shell is captured using
FEM, enabling realistic prediction of pressure fields, film thickness variation, and elastic deformation.
Simulations conducted for eccentricity ratios of 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 reveal that increasing eccentricity
enhances hydrodynamic pressure and load-carrying capacity but significantly reduces minimum film
thickness, raising the risk of lubrication failure. Six advanced graphical analyses and tabulated results
highlight the strong correlation between eccentricity, pressure rise, and film thinning. The findings
emphasize that while high eccentricity improves load performance, it compromises lubrication safety,
making FSI-based modeling crucial for accurate bearing design and performance optimization. This
study provides valuable insights for engineers seeking to balance load capacity, film stability, and
operational reliability in modern rotating machinery.
