Poroelastic materials are commonly found in biological systems, such as articulating cartilage, and the ability to
predict their biphasic behaviour is a key step in the understanding of joint health and the development of biomimetic
devices. Here, a fully coupled three dimensional finite element study is presented to demonstrate the permeability
dependent load carrying capacity of fluid pressure in a time-varying poroelastic system. A bio-inspired material model
is demonstrated with relaxation simulations which first show results for a cartilage-like sample and then for a variation of
permeability from 10−19m2 to 10−13m2. The relaxation rate is non-linear but the total relaxation time scales linearly with
permeability. That material model is then demonstrated in the context of a mechanical bearing operating in lubricated
contact with an impermeable wall. The results show that for a given set of operating conditions the permeability modifies
how the fluid and solid phases accommodate applied loads. High fluid load support varies through the thickness and
width of the bearing. It is particularly high around regions where the interstitial flow is restricted by external factors such
as contact interfaces. The model offers a novel method to predict local pressures and stresses within a poroelastic
material.