Hydrostatic bearing CFD analysis

[Anurag K]

The load rests on a base and the load has a recess on its bottom face.
The fluid is pumped into that recess; the pressure (Pt) builds up to a point where the force caused by the pressure over the recess area is enough to lift the load off the base. Once the load is lifted there is a pressure drop (Pr), and since the fluid is pumped into the recess the load floats on the fluid film.

I have attached a picture for reference.

I want to run a CFD analysis to see if the pressure distribution is uniform over the recess to keep load afloat, but I am having trouble to transfer the load's weight as external body force onto the fluid in the analysis. Please help me how to achieve it. And I also want to find the pressure drop (Pr) once the load is lifted and the distance by which the load is lifted.

 

[karachun]

Look like the easiest way will be to run a number of cases with different lifting height (in each case bearing runner surface is fixed and do not move)->different gaps where oil escapes, extract resultant force for each case and compare it with required load.