Abstract
Simplified expressions for calculating pressure, load and adiabatic temperature distributions for laminar flow in hydrostatic circular step bearings have been derived. This derivation takes into account fluid inertia (convective and rotational) and a variable gap as a function of the radial position. Analytical expressions were calculated for the case in which the gap varies linearly, for positive and negative flows. An application to the analysis of the high-pressure seals corresponding to the main circulation pumps at the Atucha 1 nuclear power plant is presented.