Thermally induced disc brake vibration: developing efficient thermo-mechanical finite element simulations which can predict the thermally induced deformations

With the ever-increasing refinement of modern automobiles, the threshold for previously hidden or obscured noise vibration and harshness (NVH) issues becomes more critical. Thermally induced vibrations from the vehicle brake system are one such issue and typically take the form of hot judder and hot spotting, with the two forms being interlinked. Despite many years of investigation in this field, the route cause is not fully understood, but is known to arise due to disc thickness variation (DTV) and dynamic distortion of the brake disc. The focus of the PhD would be to develop efficient thermo-mechanical finite element simulations which can predict the thermally induced deformations but also provide the ability to study the source. Simulations would be supported and validated using a laboratory dynamometer.

Research aims & objectives

The focus of the PhD would be to develop efficient thermo-mechanical finite element simulations which can predict the thermally induced deformations but also provide the ability to study the source. Simulations would be supported and validated using a laboratory dynamometer.