Finite element analysis of disc brake squeal

This paper presents prediction of disc brake squeal using the finite element method. A time domain nonlinear transient analysis approach in ABAQUS v6.4 is employed in order to assess instability of the disc brake assembly, which can be identified as an initially divergent vibration response. The predicted unstable frequencies from dynamic transient analysis are then compared to the results predicted by complex eigenvalues analysis. In doing so, a reduced 3-dimensional finite element model of a real disc brake is used and simulated. The predicted results show that there are a number of unstable frequencies generated. These results agreed well with the predicted results from complex eigenvalues analysis. It is also shown that most of the unstable frequencies are characterized by out-of-plane vibration modes.