Abstract: A viscoelastic support system is disclosed which utilizes an oil impregnated porous material. The porous bar has mechanical properties which behave in significantly different manners under sudden long duration loads. It withstands sudden forces with little deflection but deflects significantly in response to slowly applied forces. These dual characteristics avoid the harmful effects of additive stresses which could otherwise result from sudden loads caused by transient faults which occur following thermal expansion which has produced built up stresses following normal operation.