The modeling of contact is one of the main features of contact dynamics in the context of friction-induced vibrations. It can have a strong impact on the numerical results and consequently on the design choices during the optimization or specification of industrial mechanical systems. This is particularly the case for scientific studies interested in brake squeal. The objective of the paper is to recall and to promote developments concerning the use of non smooth contact dynamics approach for numerical simulations based on finite element method. The specific problem of the prediction of self-excited vibration in the context of brake squeal is discussed. In order to illustrate the potential benefit for the mechanical community of using formulations and theoretical developments from the mathematical community, the stability analysis and the estimation of nonlinear vibrations of a brake system with multiple frictional interface is investigated.