This paper describes the results of an investigation into the behavior of the flow of a laminar, incompressible Newtonian fluid contained between two parallel, flat circular plates for fast flow, Reo⩾1. Both unsteady and convective fluid inertia terms are considered in conjunction with system extend effects. The equation of motion of the system is coupled with the equation for the film force and solved numerically until the solution converges. The results show the generation of a steady-state force due to the inclusion of the fluid inertia forces and the forces associated with the external system constants. The extent to which lubricant properties, operating variables, and system constants influence the steady-state response of the bearing is analyzed. In addition, the effect of the bearing support flexibility on the prediction of the critical speed in relation to the steady-state operation of the system is assessed.Presented as a Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers paper at the ASME/STLE Tribology Conference in Baltimore, Maryland, October 16–19, 1988