In order to study the influence mechanism of groove structure on the lubrication characteristics of water-lubricated bearings in ships,the finite element method was adopted to carry out the CFD analysis of fluid dynamics through the 2D finite element model of the simplified elliptical groove, the influence of the structural parameters of the groove on the fluid characteristics inside the groove was analyzed in terms of traces as well as vortices,and the pressure profile inside the groove in different states was obtained.The influence of the structural parameters of the groove on the friction coefficient of the water-lubricated bearing and the lubrication mechanism of the bearing were analyzed.The results show that the size of the groove affects the circulation area of the fluid in the bearing gap,and the structural characteristics of the groove affect the viscosity of the fluid inside the groove.The research results can provide reference for the optimal design of water-lubricated bearings in ships.