In this paper, dynamic behavior of elliptical journal bearings in the turbulent inertial flow regime was examined theoretically based on the nonlinear analysis for three different ellipticity ratios of m = 0, 0.5 and 1.0. The nonlinear equations of motion for a rigid shaft supported on two identical aligned bearings were solved by the improved Euler's method, and the relations between the transient journal center motion and the corresponding pressure distribution were presented in the graphic form. From the numerical results, the effects of ellipticity ratio, turbulence, and fluid film inertia on the dynamic behavior of elliptical journal bearings were clarified.Presented at the 45th Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado May 7–10, 1990