Fourier finite element model for prediction of thermal buckling in disc clutches and brakes

Numerical analyses are performed on thermal buckling of annular rings using a reduced Fourier method. The stress stiffness matrix is derived from the geometric nonlinearity in the Green strains with a predefined circumferential wave number. The method is first validated through the commercial software Abaqus using an axisymmetric model. It is then implemented to solve more general nonaxisymmetric problems with multiple waves along thecircumference. It is shown that there exists a particular wave number with which the buckling temperature reaches a minimum. This research has potential applications in automotive clutch and brake designs against thermal buckling.