Validation of finite difference methods for brake thermal analysis in wagons with LL-type blocks

Riccardo Siniscalchi, Luciano Cantone, Andrea Ottati, Department of Enterprise Engineering , Mario Lucertini, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Tecnologie Meccaniche e Sistemi Frenanti - Ingegneria e Tecnologie Rotabili, Direzione Tecnica Trenitalia

Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part F: Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit

Published online on March 09, 2026

Abstract

Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part F: Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit, Ahead of Print.
The safety of freight trains depends on the performance of braking systems, particularly on the condition of frictional components such as brake blocks and wheels in tread brakes. These components are subjected to thermal and mechanical stresses that ...