Performance analysis of brake discs in trains

A complete analysis of the wear profiles of brake discs on commuter trains was carried out to evaluate their performance based on the rate of wear on the wheels. Actual data on the thickness and wear height of the discs were obtained at different mileages using a laser measurement device. The data were plotted to analyse the relationship between the wear and position of the brake discs at different axles. The wear rate of the discs was established to investigate the wear pattern. It was observed that the wear of the discs increased with decreasing thickness of the wear material and increasing wear height. The different positions of the discs also produced different wear profiles. The discs at the front and rear axles, experienced significant wear compared to the ones at the centre axle. The wear rate of the discs on the transit commuter rail (TCR) was higher than on the express commuter rail (ECR). This was due to the number of stops made on each trip, where the TCR stops at six stations unlike the ECR, which stops only at three stations. The higher the number of stops, the higher the frequency at which the brake discs have to be applied to stop the commuter train; thereby resulting in higher wear. Nevertheless, at certain locations along the tracks, usually where the tracks curve, the commuter trains are required to operate at a slow speed. This affects the amount of braking force that is applied to reduce the speed of the ECR as it operates at a high speed. The advantage for the TCR as it takes curves is that since the commuter train is already moving slowly, only a low braking force has to be applied, and thus, the wear on the brake disc is small.