Parametric finite element modelling and nonlinear analysis of vehicle brake

A parametric platform for the drum brake automatic modelling and nonlinear analysis is established with the parametric programming language (APDL) and user interface design language (UIDL) in ANSYS. The platform is easy to use and flexible, requiring user only to input different parameters in the dialog boxes, then geometric model can be created automatically by assigning values to parameters, and then meshing, solving and outputting of results can be implemented easily by this platform. Taking a drum brake of a heavy vehicle as a typical example, a contact analysis of the emergency braking process is analysed. The simulation results correspond to the realities, thus confirming the validity of this platform for parametric modelling and nonlinear analysis, which can provide a convincing basis for shortening brake development cycle, for structural optimization and for realizing the completely digital design of the drum brake.