Deformation of a brake disc

[Tom690]

Hi! Just looking at the Abaqus brake disc tutorial (linked at bottom) for a thermal analysis of a disc. The results (Figure 5.1.1-7 in the link) shows how the thermal expansion in the disc causes it to curve towards the outboard side. My results are the same. Could anyone help me understand why this happens though? I'm assuming it's to do with the disc top hat but I'm not sure exactly why. Thanks!

 

[SWComposites]

Yeah, temperature varies across the part, so different areas will expand more, resulting in the shown deformation. And yes it has to do with the overall part shape.

 

[FEA way]

This is called "coning" and you can find some information about it in literature covering disc brakes. For example, in the Ph.D. thesis "Thermal Stress Analysis of Automotive Disc Brakes" by S. Koetniyom.