OIL WHIRL AND WHIP EXPLANATION

The eccentricity of oil wedge is momentarily increased from its equilibrium position, perhaps due to
a sudden surge, an external shock load or other transient condition, additional oil is immediately
pumped into the space vacated by the shaft. The result is an increase in the pressure of the loadcarrying film. The additional force developed by the oil-film can drive the shaft into a whirling path
around the bearing. If the damping within this system is sufficiently high, the shaft returns to its
normal position in the bearing; otherwise the shaft continues in a whirling path called oil whirl
Lack of lubrication or improper lubrication causes excessive friction between the stationary bearing
and rotating shaft, and the friction excites vibration in the bearing and other related parts similar
wiping a moisture finger over a dry plane of glass called oil whip.