Theoretical and Experimental Thermal Analysis of Brake Discs for Formula SAE Racing Vehicles

This study aims to evaluate the heating of brake discs of Formula SAE vehicles, designed by State University of Campinas. The temperature is the most important variable in the dimensioning of the discs. The following steps were performed: definition of the initial boundary conditions and parameters; numerical simulation of the brake disc in a condition characteristic of test benches; validation of the results in a full-scale dynamometer. Supported by the parameters validated, the model was used to simulate the braking along a real race track. The results showed that the temperature is in a safe range.