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Brake squeal of the light vehicle disc brakes have been the subject of numerous studies in the last thirty years. Several analytical and numerical models as well as dynamometer and vehicle test procedures are widely used in the industry. The noise performance of many vehicles have been improved significantly over the last few years. On the other hand, the squeal noise of the heavy-duty vehicle drum brake has not been studied extensively. The noise performance of the heavy-duty drum brake has been lagging behind that of the light vehicle brakes. With the implementation of the revised FMVSS121 stopping distance requirement, higher friction materials are needed, which generally results in even more brake noises due to higher excitation. Public awareness of noise influence on the environment is forcing the heavy-duty vehicle brake industry to deliver better brake noise performance.

A simple finite element model is presented as a rapid engineering tool for designing pad shape to reduce high frequency brake squeal. The mechanism, effect, and design methodology of pad shape on squeal are discussed. The proposed model and method are applied on fifteen different brakes to generate the alternative pad shape designs. Validation tests on dynamometer demonstrate very promising results for the proposed tool and method.