The research on the dynamic strain of drum brakes is of great significance in performance evaluation, structure optimization and fatigue prediction. Based on current research of strain experiments and measuring technology, a new test procedure is proposed to investigate strain and temperature information of a working drum. Wireless data acquisition system and high-temperature strain gauges are applied. The strain-time and temperature-time curves are studied on the conditions of emergency brake and continuous brake. A tribological and thermo-mechanical analysis are conducted by using software ABAQUS. Results show that the strain is uneven when the drum contacts different zones of friction plates. Seasonal variation is another feature and a set of four wave crests repeats during the rotation. Meanwhile, thermal effect is proved important to strain. The simulation results coincide well with experiments, proving that this method provides a practical way to verify the calculation. The study also lays the foundation for the following fatigue analysis and optimization design.
Heat loading of hoist brakes by example of drum brakes