Micropolar fluid squeeze film lubrication between rough anisotropic poroelastic rectangular plates: Special reference to synovial joint lubrication

Abstract

The effect of anisotropic permeability on micropolar squeeze film lubrication between poroelastic rectangular plates is studied. The non-Newtonian synovial fluid is modelled by Eringen's micropolar fluid, and the poroelastic nature of cartilage is taken in to account. The stochastic modified Reynolds equation, which incorporates the elastic as well as randomised surface roughness structure of cartilage with micropolar fluid as lubricant, is derived. Modified equations for the mean fluid film pressure, mean load carrying capacity and squeeze film time are obtained using the Christensen's stochastic theory for the study of roughness effects. The effects of surface roughness, micropolar fluid and anisotropic permeability on the squeeze film characteristics of synovial joint are discussed. It is found that the surface roughness effects are more pronounced for micropolar fluids as compared to the Newtonian fluids, and the anisotropic nature of permeability of cartilage off-squares the plate size for optimum performance. © 2012 W. S. Maney & Son Ltd.