Turbine Tips have covered the main reasons for bearings to wipe: 1)

Insufficient lube oil supply, 2) Low lube oil pressure, and 3) Water in the
lube oil. Every once in a while a fourth cause appears: High bearing
loading.
Proper bearing loading is calculated by the elevations of the bearings,
component weights and shaft alignments (bending moments, lateral,
torsional). The OEM calculates the elevations and coupling alignments
during the design process, based on the catenary curve (or sag chart).
Calculations of bearing loadings and alignment are usually accurate based
on the design engineers' mathematical calculations and computer model
for the rotor's geometry, speed, weight, and bearing design.

The Catenary Curve

Most of the time, high bearing loading is caused by misalignment of the

turbine power train from the original design. That is, some force has
moved the components from their original alignments. The source of the
bearing failure can be eliminated by carefully measuring and re-aligning to
the original specifications. But we have seen examples where the original
calculations either were not accurate or over years of operation the
bearing pedestals had moved.
Recalculating bearing loading is an arduous and potentially expensive
process, so all other contributing factors should be eliminated before
attempting this course. If necessary, TGM can perform the recalculation
and re-alignment without the participation of the OEM. On three bearing
units, it is not uncommon to utilize a dynamometer to check bearing
loading during alignment and their adjustments