This　study　theoretically　analyzes　the　effect　of　surface　roughness　on　the　pressure　distribution　and　load-carrying　capacity　of　hydrostatic　circular　pads.　The　average　pressure　was　expressed　by　establishing　the　volume　flow　rate　of　per　unit　width.　In　this　study,　we　established　two　average　Reynolds　equations　on　radial　direction　and　circumferential　direction　with　the　consideration　of　one-dimensional　roughness.　On　the　basis　of　the　one-dimensional　modified　Reynolds　equation,　this　study　analyzes　the　pressure　distribution　and　load-carrying　capacity　of　hydrostatic　circular　pads　by　solving　the　Reynolds　equation　using　the　finite　difference　method.　According　to　the　results,　the　effect　of　circumferential　roughness　provides　an　increase　in　load-carrying　capacity　of　hydrostatic　circular　pads　as　compared　to　the　smooth-bearing　case.　While　the　load-carrying　capacity　of　hydrostatic　circular　pads　decreased　for　the　radial　roughness　case.　Therefore,　we　can　draw　the　conclusion　that　considering　circumferential　roughness　can　increase　the　load-carrying　capacity　of　hydrostatic　circular　pads　in　some　specific　cases.　On　the　basis　of　considering　the　roughness,　the　load-carrying　capacity　of　hydrostatic　circular　pads　should　be　drastically　reduced　with　the　increase　of　roughness　parameters　whether　considering　the　radial　or　circumferential　roughness.　©　2013　IEEE.