Introduction The plain hydrodynamic journal bearing configurations are widely being used in engineering applications due to their ability to provide superior performance and relative ease in manufacturing. These bearings are subjected to more stringent and severe operating conditions. When the fluid-film bearings operate under high speed and high load, heat is generated within the oil film due to the shearing of the lubricant, and the temperature rise of the lubricating fluid film and the bearing surface takes place. This causes a significant reduction of the viscosity of the lubricant which in turn reduces the minimum fluid-film thickness. Thus, the flow field of the lubricant is modified, which affects the bearing performance. Also, the plain journal-bearing system undergoes elastic deformation when operating under heavy loads.