Analysis and Control of Brake Noise

Considerable effort has been directed at investigation and reduction of brake noise. Most of this work has been performed on problem brake systems whose designs are finalized. Consequently, add-on noise control treatments have become a very common technique in eliminating the noise problems. The application of these treatments is sometimes regarded as a “cut and paste” or “trial and error” procedure where the effects of a huge matrix of noise control treatments is evaluated on a structure experimentally.

In contrast, the design of effective noise control modifications can be achieved efficiently using existing measurement and design techniques. The initial approach is aimed at defining the dynamic characteristics of the brake system to identify the source and mechanism of the objectionable noise emissions.

Successive work addresses the design, development, and performance verification of treatments or modifications applied to the system that can be used to control the noise.