The　Reynolds　equation,　energy　equation　and　elastic　equation　of　a　circular　tilt-pad　thrust　bearing　were　solved　by　finite　element　method.　The　oil-inlet　boundary　condition　of　the　bearing　was　determined　by　calculation　of　the　normal　velocity　on　the　edge　of　the　pad.　Thus　the　pressure　distribution　and　temperature　distribution　can　be　determined　more　accurately.　It　is　found　that　the　calculating　results　agree　well　with　the　experimental　data　obtained　on　a　bearing　bench　test　rig.