Validation of a virtual model of a contact thermocouple with real measurements

In this article, a detailed study is presented on the influence of clamping force when measuring the surface temperature of a brake disc using thermocouples. The focus in this research is on modifying the computational model of thermocouples and subsequently analyzing them using the finite element method (FEM) to assess the accuracy of temperature measurement under different force conditions. A comprehensive validation process was conducted through experimental measurements of the stiffness of the slider arm, ensuring the reliability of the FEM models. The study revealed that achieving agreement with experimental results required a correction factor for the stiffness of the contact element. The findings of this research will contribute to improving methodologies for evaluating brake disc temperatures, thereby enhancing the accuracy of temperature measurements in brake system testing for railway vehicles.