International Journal of Automobile Engineering

Research and Development (IJAuERD)

ISSN(P): 2277-4785; ISSN(E): 22789413
Vol. 4, Issue 1, Feb 2014, 1-10
TJPRC Pvt. Ltd.

STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF ROTOR DISC OF DISC BRAKE OF BAJA SAE 2013 CAR
THROUGH FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS
ISHWAR GUPTA
1
& GAURAV SAXENA
2
1
Research Scholar, Automobile Engineering, RJIT BSF ACEDEMY, Tekanpur, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India
2
Assistant Professor, Department of Automobile Engineering, RJIT BSF ACEDEMY, Tekanpur, Gwalior,
Madhya Pradesh, India

ABSTRACT
This paper deals with the structural analysis of rotor disc of disc brake of BAJA SAE 2013 CAR through finite
element analysis approach using ANSYS software. A disc brake is a device by means of which artificial frictional
resistance is applied to the rotating member, in order to stop the motion of a machine or a vehicle. The rotor discs are
commonly manufactured of grey cast iron. The SAE also recommend grey cast iron for various applications. So it is being
selected for investigation. The objective of structural analysis of rotor disc is to study & evaluate the performance under
severe conditions & to suggest best combination of parameters of rotor disc like Flange Width, Wall Thickness & Material
composition. In this present work, an attempt has been made to investigate the effect of stiffness & strength and to analyse
the stability & rigidity of the rotor disc. The modelling of rotor disc is done in PRO/E wildfire 4.0 software. Further
Structural analysis is done by using ANSYS 13.0 software. The Dimensions of an existing Maruti 800 cars disc rotor of
disc brake are taken.
KEYWORDS: SAE BAJA 2013, Rotor Disc, Composite Materials, PRO/E Wildfire 4.0, FEA, ANSYS13.0
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of a brake system is to slow or halt the motion of a vehicle as desired by the driver within a
minimum distance in an emergency. The working principle of brake operation is the conversion of energy. Energy is the
ability to do work. The brake system converts the momentum of the vehicle into heat by slowing and stopping the vehicles
wheels. This is done by causing friction at the wheels.There are two basic types of friction that explain how brake systems
work: kinetic, or moving, and static, or stationary. The resistance to motion of a vehicle or amount of friction produced is
proportional to the pressure between the two objects, the type of materials in contact, & the smoothness of their rubbing
surfaces. Friction converts the kinetic energy into heat. The greater the pressure applied to the objects, the more friction
& heat produced, & the sooner the vehicle is brought to a stop.The following figure is representing the various types of
friction acting on the vehicle during motion. Braking action creates kinetic friction in the brakes and static friction between
the tire and road to slow the vehicle. When brakes are applied, the vehicles weight is transferred to the front wheels and is
unloaded on the rear wheels.

Figure 1: Friction Acting on a Vehicle
2 Ishwar Gupta & Gaurav Saxena

Figure 2: CAD Model of BAJA SAE 2013 Car

Figure 3: SAE BAJA 2013 Car at RJIT Gwalior Campus

Figure 4: Actual Disc Brake Assembly of BAJA SAE Car

Figure 5: Working Principle of a Disc Brake
Disc brakes are used on the front of most modern road cars, and on all 4 wheels of most race cars. In disc brake
the friction material are in the form of pads, which are fixed about the edge of a rotating wheel. With automotive disc
brakes, this wheel is a separate unit mounted to the wheel, called the rotor. The rotor is typically made of cast iron.
Structural Analysis of Rotor Disc of Disc Brake of BAJA SAE 2013 Car through Finite Element Analysis 3
The pads are attached to metal backings, which are actuated by pistons. The pistons are contained within a caliper
assembly, which is a housing that wraps around the edge of the rotor. The caliper is mounted to the steering knuckle to stop
it from rotating. The caliper contains the pistons and related seals, springs, bleeder screws, and boots as well as the
cylinder(s) and fluid passages necessary to force the pads against the rotor. Disc brakes offer four major advantages over
drum brakes. Disc brakes are more resistant to heat fade during high-speed brake stops or repeated stops. The design of the
disc brake rotor exposes more surfaces to the air and thus dissipates heat more efficiently. They are also resistant to water
fade because the rotation of the rotor tends to throw off moisture. The squeeze of the sharp edges of the pads clears the
surface of water.
Rotor Disc of Disc Brake
The disc brake rotor has two main parts: the hub and the braking surface. The hub is where the wheel is mounted
and contains the wheel bearings. The braking surface is the machined surface on both sides of the rotor. It is carefully
machined to provide a friction surface for the brake pads. The entire rotor is usually made of cast iron, which provides an
excellent friction surface.The size of the rotor braking surface is determined by the diameter of the rotor. Large cars, which
require more braking energy, have large rotors. Smaller, lighter cars can use smaller rotors. Generally, manufacturers want
to keep parts as small and light as possible while maintaining efficient braking ability. The rotor is protected from water
and dirt due to road splash by a splash shield bolted to the steering knuckle. The outboard side is shielded by the vehicles
wheel. The splash shield and wheel also are important in directing air over the rotor to aid cooling. The rotor discs are
commonly manufactured of grey cast iron. The SAE also recommend grey iron for various applications.
Grey Cast Iron
The most common form of cast iron is grey cast iron. It is primarily composed of Iron 95%, Carbon 2 to 5%,
Silicon 1 to 3%, but may also contain small percentage of Sulphur, Manganese & Phosphorus. In grey cast iron the carbon
presents in the form of flakes which is distributed throughout the metal. More specific heat capacity & thermal
conductivity are two main criteria for making grey cast iron rotor disc. Another mechanical property for grey cast irons
includes Tensile strength, Shear Modulus of Rupture, youngs Modulus of Elasticity, Torsional Modulus of Elasticity,
Compressive Strength, Brinell hardness & Endurance Limit. The stiffness and dampening properties of cast iron make it an
excellent material for machine tool frames and parts. The material properties of grey cast iron are:
Density- 7100 kg/m3
Young modulus- 125 GPa
Poissons ratio- 0.25
Specific heat- 586 J/Kg.K
Thermal conductivity- 54 W/m.K
Aluminium Metal Matrix Composites
Metal matrix composites are mostly used in braking systems & engine parts of automobiles. Aluminium &
magnesium is the most common matrix for the metal matrix composites. Aluminium Metal Matrix Composites are quite
attractive due to their high fatigue strength, ultimate tensile strength, yield strength & low coefficient of thermal expansion.
Aluminium Metal Matrix Composites have been utilized in automotive, aerospace, defence and thermal areas.The material
properties of Aluminium metal matrix composites are:-
4 Ishwar Gupta & Gaurav Saxena
Density- 2820.6 kg/m3
Young modulus- 113.76 GPa
Poissons ratio- 0.35
Specific heat- 828.43 J/Kg.K
Thermal conductivity- 147.95 W/m.K

Figure 6: Maruti 800 Cars Rotor Disc
METHODOLOGY
For structural analysis ofrotor disc of disc brake we have followed the step by step procedure.
Modeling of Rotor Disc
The modelling of rotor disc is done in PRO/ENGINEER 4.0 software.Pro/ENGINEER is parametric integrated
3D solid modelling software created by Parametric Technology Corporation, USA.Itwas the first parametric, feature-based,
bi directional associative nature solid modelling software.For modelling the Dimensions of an existing Maruti 800 cars
disc rotor of disc brake are taken. But some assumptions are taken in modelling of rotor disc. In analysis we always ignore
the things that have no or little impact on analysis. Some assumptions are such as rotor disc material is isotropic, there is no
stress in rotor disc before the application of brake, rotor disc is of Solid type not ventilated, and brakes are applied on the
all 4 wheels.

Figure 7: Rotor Disc Flow Chart
Structural Analysis of Rotor Disc of Disc Brake of BAJA SAE 2013 Car through Finite Element Analysis 5

Figure 8: CAD Model of Rotor Disc in PRO/E 4.0
Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
Generally there are three methods to solve any engineering problems such as analytical method, Numerical
method, & Experimental method in which numerical method is most commonly used. Because it is the mathematical
representation of physical problems & it gives the approximate solution & also applicable even if physical prototype not
available. Numerical methods like Finite element analysis are based on discretization of integral form of equation.
Basic theme of all numerical method is to make calculations at only limited numbers of points & then interpolate the
results for entire domain.It is now used to solve problems in the following areas- structural strength design, thermal
analysis, vibration, & crash simulations etc.
FEA Software- ANSYS
ANSYS is general purpose FEA software developed, supported & marketed by ANSYS Inc. ANSYS are used by
several companies to produce a wide range of products, including aircrafts & automobile engines. ANSYS involves three
stages of activity: preprocessing, solution & postprocessing. A complete FEA analysis is a logical interaction of the three
stages.
Preprocessing
It involves the preparation of finite element data such as nodal coordinates, element connectivity, boundary
conditions, & loading & material information.
Solution
During the solution phase, FEA software automatically generates matrices that describe the behaviour of each
element, assemble them & computes the unknown values of primary field variables such as displacement, temperature etc.
additional derived variables such as reaction forces, stresses heat flow, can be computed by back substitution of the
primary field variables.
Postprocessing
The postprocessing stage deals with the presentation of the results. Typically, the deformed configuration, mode
shapes, temperature & stress distribution are computed & displayed at this stage. While solution data can be manipulated
many ways in postprocessing, the important objective is to apply sound engineering judgement in determining whether the
solution results are physically reasonable.
Structural Analysis in ANSYS
Structural analysis is the commonly used application of the FEA. We can perform the seven types of structural
6 Ishwar Gupta & Gaurav Saxena
analysis in ANSYS such as Static Analysis, Modal Analysis, Buckling Analysis, Spectrum Analysis, Harmonic Analysis,
Transient dynamic Analysis, Explicit dynamic analysis.A static analysis is performed over a structure when the loads
& boundary conditions remain stationary & do not change over time it is assumed that the load or field conditions are
applied gradually, not suddenly. The system under analysis can be linear or nonlinear. Inertia and damping effects are
ignored in structural analysis.Static analysis is used to determine displacements, stresses & so on.In structural analysis
following matrices are solved [K][X]= [F],Where K is stiffness matrix, X is displacement matrix, &F is the force matrix.
The above equation is called the force balance equation for the linear system. Nonlinear systems include large deformation,
plasticity, and creep and so on.

Figure 9: Solid Model of Rotor Disc in ANSYS after Removing Holes & Fillets

Figure 10: FEA Flow Chart (Structural Analysis in ANSYS)
Structural Analysis of Rotor Disc of Disc Brake of BAJA SAE 2013 Car through Finite Element Analysis 7
RESULTS
The objective of structural analysis of rotor disc is to study & evaluate the performance under severe conditions &
to suggest best combination of parameters of rotor disc like Flange Width, Wall Thickness &Material composition. In this
Structural analysis we Obtained Von misses stress& Hoop Stress. Because it is a very important parameter for design
engineers.Using this information we can say our design will fail, if maximum value of Von Misses stress induced in the
material is more than strength of the material.According to the given specification of rotor disc of disc brake the element
type chosen for structural analysis is solid 20node 95.

Figure 11: Meshed Model of Rotor Disc in ANSYS

Figure 12: Shape Testing Report for SOLID95 Element in ANSYS

Figure 13: Displacement Vector Sum in Rotor Disc

Figure 14: Average Displacement in Rotor Disc
8 Ishwar Gupta & Gaurav Saxena

Figure 15: Von Misses Stress Distribution in Rotor Disc

Figure 16: Hoop Stress Distribution in Rotor Disc
CONCLUSIONS
Rotor Disc Material- Grey Cast Iron
Max. Displacement - 0.0753 mm
Von Misses Stress - 87.8 MPa (Max.)
Hoop Stress- 55.2 MPa. (Max.)
Our college team participated first time in SAE INDIA BAJA 2013 event & won prize. A comparative study of
various components of vehicle as per SAE INDIA BAJA 2013 specification was taken as our approach. In this paper
structural analysis of rotor disc of disc brake has been performed. The objective of structural analysis of rotor disc is to
study & evaluate the performance under severe conditions & to suggest best combination of parameters of rotor disc like
Flange Width, Wall Thickness & Material composition. In this present work, an attempt has been made to analyse the
stability & rigidity of the rotor disc. From the above analysis we can say that the obtained stresses are less than the design
stresses. So Maruti 800 Cars rotor disc is suitable for present application.
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comprehensive textbook that introduces the users to Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 4.0.
3. COOK, R. D. (1981) Concept and Applications of Finite Element Analysis, Wiley, Canada.
4. ZIENKIEWICZ, O. C. (1977) The Finite Element method, McGraw-Hill, New York.
5. 2013 BAJA SAE INDIA Rule Book.
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