Brake Squeal: Complex Eigenvalue versus Dynamic Transient Analysis 2007-01-3964

Brake squeal from either disc brakes or drum brakes has been one of the major concerns in the automotive industry due to the persistent complaint that reduces customers' satisfaction with their vehicle. In order to understand, predict and prevent brake squeal, experimental and numerical approaches have been used. Whilst the experimental approach is expensive due to hardware costs and long turnaround time, the numerical approach seems to offer many advantages over experimental approach. In predicting brake squeal using numerical approach, there are typically two methods available, namely, complex eigenvalue analysis and dynamic transient analysis. In this paper both methods are applied on a drum brake assembly using a single commercial finite element software package, ABAQUS. Predicted results from both analyses will then be compared and discussed. Drum brake squeal analysis is also simulated on two different friction characteristics i.e., constant friction coefficient and negative μ-v slope. From the predicted results, it is found that the dynamic transient analysis can capture quite well most of the unstable frequencies generated in the complex eigenvalue analysis.