Thermomechanical Study of a Disc Brake

Abstract

We present an analysis of the physical phenomena operating in a brake disc in service (high temperature amplitudes, high thermal gradients, plastic deformations, disc/pad friction, etc.). From this analysis, we propose a numerical modeling of the disc which is based on relevant hypotheses. This modeling uses the finite element method which makes it possible to first solve the problem of heat transfer, due to the friction of the pads on the disc. Then in a second step to solve the mechanical problem, due on the one hand to the forces applied by pressure of the pads on the disc and on the other hand to the inertial forces applied to this disc. Finally, we make a comparative study between purely mechanical stresses with thermomechanical coupling. The objective is to show the non-negligible effect of temperature on the resistance and the damage of the structure of the disc brake in order to take it into consideration in the mechanical design of this system.