The purpose of this study was to analyze elastomeric bearing performance on the basis of elastomer hardness, shape factor, reinforcing shim orientation, degree of taper and compressive stress level with the goal of developing a simple design procedure which standardizes as many of those parameters as possible. Particular emphasis was placed on comparing the behavior of flat and tapered bearings. Experimentation included shear, compressive, and rotational stiffness tests, shear and compression fatigue loading, long-term compressive loading, and tests to determine compressive stress limits.