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This study aims to deal with the performance of symmetric/asymmetric slot entry hybrid journal bearing system considering the effect of three dimensional irregularities in the analysis.

The asperity profile of three-dimensional irregularities has been modeled in both circumferential and axial directions. To compute the bearing performance characteristics parameter, finite element formulation of governing Reynolds equation has been derived using Galerkin’s technique.

Based on the numerically simulated results, it has been observed that the three-dimensional irregularities enhance the value of minimum fluid film thickness (h̄_min), lubricant flow (Q̄) and fluid film damping coefficients (C̄₁₁,C̄₂₂) approximately by order of magnitude of 24-26, 43-51 and 18-66 per cent, respectively, for the case of asymmetric slot entry configuration. Whereas, the values of fluid film stiffness coefficients (S̄₁₁,S̄₂₂) and threshold speed (ω̄_th) reduces approximately by order of 1-6 and 0-3 per cent, respectively, for the case of symmetric slot entry configuration.

The present paper describes that the influence of three-dimensional irregularities on bearing surface on the performance of slot entry hybrid journal bearing is original in literature gaps. The numerically simulated results presented in this study are expected to be quite useful to the bearing designers.