This Design Guide contains the results of a theoretical and experimental program of investigation, conducted during the years 1961-1964 at The Franklin Institute on behalf of the United States Atomic Energy Commission. The analytical aspects have led to the development of a family of performance curves for tilting-pad journal bearings and means of predicting dynamic characteristics of the bearing components and of the rotor system. The experimental aspects of the program have provided quantitative correlation with the predicted behavior of the entire system and each of its elements and in this way have established a high degree of confidence in the analytical approach that was used and the design procedures that have resulted. The actual experience of running the test rotor with full instrumentation, for many hours, at and above design speed and over a range of loads, bearing clearances, shoe pivot designs, with and without deliberate unbalance and misalignment has added greatly to the accumulated knowledge of practical design details so necessary for successful application of gas-lubricated bearings to high-speed rotor systems.