This thesis studies the characteristics of the externally pressurized, with multi-recessed, close-type, flat hydrostatic slide ways by using the membrane restrictor as a compensating element. Furthermore, the optimal design analysis for maximum bearing stiffness is presented by using the genetic algorithm. The general equations for film pressure are provided according to the flow rate balance of slide ways. Results are in terms of the bearing stiffness with the variations of the bearing displacement ratios, the restriction parameters and themembrane compliance. By using the genetic algorithm, the optimal design analysis is carried out under the setting design environments of numbers of recess, geometric size of recesses, and speed of slide ways. For membrane restrictors, the optimal design parameters of supplied pressure, bearing clearance and restriction parameters are searched, whilst, the optimal design parameters of supplied pressure, bearing clearance, membrane restriction parameters and membrane compliance are searched for membrane restrictors. Finally, these optimal design parameters corresponding to the maximum bearing stiffness.