In　the　fluid　film　lubrication　of　high　speed　turbomachinery,　bearing　performance　plays　a　significant　role　in　the　dynamics　of　the　rotor-bearing　system.　In　this　paper,　a　novel　foil　thrust　bearing　using　multi-decked　protuberant　foils　as　supporting　structure　is　developed　and　tested.　Experimental　bearing　test　rig　using　gas-driven　high　speed　turbo-expander　is　set　up　to　evaluate　static　loading　characteristics　of　the　bearing.　Static　stiffness,　friction　torque,　nominal　bearing　clearance　and　axial　vibration　amplitude　are　discussed　in　the　transient　processes.　Static　loading　characteristic　of　the　bearing　is　evaluated　based　on　the　relationship　between　displacement　and　loading　force.　Test　results　indicate　that　this　simply　configured　thrust　bearing　has　a　good　prospect　in　high　speed　hydrodynamic　lubrication.