Theoretical and experimental investigation on the effect of supply pressure on the nonlinear behaviors of the aerostatic bearing-rotor system

•The effect of supply pressure on the nonlinear behaviors is studied theoretically and experimentally.•The numerical and experimental results reveal complex nonlinear behaviors.•The rotational speed of the sub-synchronous vibration can be enhanced by increasing supply pressure.•The subsynchronous vibration can be retrained and even eliminated by increasing the supply pressure further.•A simple and convenient method based on adjustment of supply pressure is proposed to restrain the subsynchronous vibration.