The benefits of three-dimensional modeling of thrust bearings are described and illustrated with examples. Data are given for the convection coefficients on the back face of pads and attention is drawn to improvements in bearing performance given by reducing the thermal resistance of pads. The importance of pad support in large bearings is illustrated by a case study in which the size of the support disk is varied. Improved performance can be obtained if the disk is sized correctly. Further improvement is obtained if part of the disk support is cut away.

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A.s.se.rsnte~rh are nictde of tlie accuracy and speed of execution of two qucidr(itic elenrent forntulutionr applied to the thrust becm'ttg pro6lem. Metho(1s of reducing the execution time are disc2csst.d and tested. Reductio?~ of tlre order of integration i r recomntended. The nine noded (L(igra~ip'an) q~uidratic elentent wcls found to give reduced but ctcceptable accurricy when applied to film.< where cavitation occurrerl. Tlre triglrer order formulations were found b be .superior in rutr time i f better accumcy is required tlun norntally obtni?zc~ble with linecir elemen~s or witlt a finite difference scheme.

No abstract