The active adaptation of the geometric properties under consideration of different operating conditions optimizes the overall performance of many systems. Shape control with intelligent materials is a wellknown approach in various aerospace applications, especially where fluid-solid interactions occur. In this study, shape morphing is considered as an efficient approach for air foil bearings with the ability to actively adjust the lubricant profile by forming the bearing shells. With regard to the designing demands for oilfree bearings, various solutions are widely discussed in the literature. While some of them are reported to be insufficient for any particular criteria, others do not only improve performance for certain operating conditions but also have a negative effect during other running states due to conflicting design goals. The replacement of the circular bearing housing by a lobed housing generates a hydrodynamic preload effect in the lubricating film. This approach is one of the most frequently investigated methods for improving the bearing stability, which is followed by negative influences on the load capacity and thus an increased lift-off speed. In addition, the uniform reduction or increase of the radial clearance of the bearings has its own effects on the static and rotordynamic properties of the air foil bearings. Such observations lead to the presentation of different solutions for active bearing contour adjustment, which benefit from different profiles of the lubricant film. In all cases in which the geometric shape is to be actively adapted in each operating state, particular attention must be paid to structural conformity, i.e. the harmonization of the stiffness of the system in relation to the requirements for shape control. In line with this, the focus of this study is on the development of an adaptive interface for air foil bearings in which the negative effects of introducing new degrees of freedom into the system must be investigated prior to the actual application.weiterlesen