Abstract: A fluid bearing assembly includes a shaft mounted for rotation in a housing on a fluid film in a gap formed between the shaft surface and confronting surfaces on a plurality of shells mounted in the housing. The shells are relatively thick so that they bend in the manner of a stiff beam, and resilient supports are disposed between the shells and the housing which transmit fluid pressure forces on the shells to the housing and at the same time provide reaction loads on the shells which operate in pre-determined manner in opposition to changes in the fluid pressure forces to bend the shells to increase the load carrying capacity of the bearing.