###### Abstract  
This study investigates the influence of geometric parameters on wear of journal bearings within a multibody system framework. While extensive research has explored the impact of wear on journal bearing performance, limited attention has been given to the role of geometric parameters in wear progression. To address this gap, this study examines the effects of bushing depth, internal and external bushing diameters, and bushing rim thickness on wear in a non-lubricated journal bearing joint within a slider-crank mechanism. The joint consists of a 347 stainless steel journal and a PTFE bushing operating under moderate loading conditions (0.25 MPa to 5 MPa) and low sliding velocities (1 mm/s to 10 mm/s). Wear predictions are conducted using the elastic foundation model (EFM) and finite element method (FEM), with multibody dynamics analysis providing joint force estimations. The results from both approaches reveal that (1) increasing bushing depth reduces both wear volume and maximum wear depth, (2) bushing outer diameter has little to no effect on wear volume and maximum wear depth, (3) smaller bushing rim thicknesses lead to greater wear volume, and (4) larger bushing depths reduce both wear volume and maximum wear depth. Consequently, it is recommended that journal bearings designed to minimize wear should have smaller inner diameters, with attention to the stress effects on the journal due to the reduced diameter. Additionally, small bushing rim thicknesses should be avoided, and larger bushing depths should be considered to reduce wear. These insights contribute to the optimization of journal bearing design for improved durability and performance in mechanical systems. s 2025 15 2368 202  
Journal bearings are used in numerous applications including rotation machinery in hydraulic turbines, steam and gas turbines, engines and powertrains, and electric generators, among other applications. In all these applications, journal bearings serve the purpose of facilitating motion between moving parts. As such, it is inevitable that they will experience wear during their service. The worn geometry of the journal bearing affects the performance of the bearing as reported and discussed in several studies. In [1], the authors investigate how the performance of two-lobe hydrodynamic journal bearings during startups and stops are affected by wear. They report that wear influences the lubricating film as well as the bearing behavior, and thus, changing the load capacity and stability. Studies conducted by [PERSON] et al. [2] focused on thermodynamic analysis of worn plain journal bearings which indicated that wear alters the temperature distribution as well as the pressure profile in the lubricating film and consequently affects the bearing performance. The friction behavior in worn misaligned journal bearings under severe hydrodynamic lubrication was investigated in [3]. The authors reported that wear and misalignment in the bearings intensify the friction forces and reduces the efficiency of the lubrication. In [4], the influence of wear on a multirecess hydrostatic journal bearing using micropolar lubricants is evaluated. It was reported that the micropolar lubricants improved the load capacity and mitigated wear-related degradation, thus enhancing the performance of the journal bearing. In [5], the same authors analyzed journal bearing systems with various recess shapes under various turbulent lubrication regimes. Their findings indicate that recess shape design as well as turbulence affect bearing performance in worn conditions. [PERSON] et al. [6] studied the performance of two-lobe multirecess journal bearings with membrane restrictors under wear conditions. The study reported that wear influences the load capacity and damping properties while the membrane restrictors provide some compensation for losses in performance.