In this investigation the analysis and design of thrust bearing by a s
tochastic approach for the effect of the viscosity variation due to th
ermal effects and slip effects have been studied. To discuss the optim
um design criterion the results for load capacity and frictional torqu
e are obtained for commonly used lubricants by using the interior pena
lty function method. The relative performances of different lubricants
under optimum conditions have also been presented.