Analysis of Off-road Performance for a Tracked Vehicle

Subject Areas : Mechanical Engineering

MohamadReza  Elhami ¹ (Associate Prof, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Emam Hossain University, [e-mail])

Received: 2016-01-06 Accepted : 2016-04-20 Published : 2016-12-24

Keywords: Suspension system, Irregular terrain, Off-road performance, Tracked vehicle, Belgian block, Dynamic stability, Critical speed,

Abstract :

Suspension system is one of the most important factors in provision of ride comfort and dynamic stability in any vehicle. However, the suspension system for the tracked vehicle has more particular specifications in compare with the other vehicles. Due to its continuous track, these specifications can help the tracked vehicles possess an improved dynamic stability in off-road maneuvers compared to the vehicles with discrete tiers. In this paper, off-road performance of the tracked vehicle has been thoroughly investigated. In this regard, firstly the mathematical model of a tracked vehicle suspension system with governing dynamic equations are derived and the state-space representation are represented. After on, the off-road inputs such as hill inputs, passing over Belgian block and irregular terrain are applied to the dynamic model and the system outputs, especially body hull vertical acceleration as one of the most important criteria of stability, are reviewed. The results show that the responses are in range of acceptable overshoot and there suggest the related critical speed of the vehicle. Furthermore, for model validation the results are compared with ACMP reference model in response to the standard off-road inputs and the results are satisfactory.

References:

1] Elhami, M. Reza, M., “Analysis and Optimization of Suspension System of a Tracked Vehicle: Standard Input Responses”, Journal of Mechanics and Aerospace, Vol. 1, No. 3, p.p. 37-44, Feb. 2004 (in Persian).

[2] AMCP, “Engineering Design Handbook, Automotive Series: Automotive Suspensions”, AMCP 706-356, 1967.

[3] Balamurugan, V., “Dynamic Analysis of a Military-Tracked Vehicle”, Defense Science Journal, Vol 50, No 2, April 2000, p.p. 155-165.

[4] Sandu, Corina, Freeman, Jeffrey S., “Military Tracked Vehicle Model. Part I: Multibody Dynamics Formulation”, Int’l J. of Vehicle Systems Modelling and Testing, 2005-Vol.1, No.1, p.p. 48-67.

[5] Sandu, Corina, Freeman, Jeffrey S., “Military Tracked Vehicle Model. Part II: Case Study”, Int’l J. of Vehicle Systems Modelling and Testing, 2005-Vol. 1, No. 3, p.p. 216-231.

[6] Gunter, D. D., Bylsma, W. W., et. al., “Using Modeling and Simulation to Evaluate Stability and Traction Performance of a Track Laying Robot Vehicle”, US Army Research, RDECOM, TARDEC, Oct. 2005.

 [7] Ravishankar, M. K., Sujatha, H. C. “Ride Dynamic Analysis of a Military Tracked Vehicle: A Comparison of Torsion- bar Suspension with Hydro-gas Suspension”, SAE World Congress & Exhibition, Detroit, MI, USA, April 2008.

[8] Giliomee, C. L., “Design and Optimization of Semi-active Suspension for a Heavy Off-Road Vehicle”, MSc Thesis, University of Pretoria, 2005.

[9] Madsen, Justin, Heyn, Toby and Negrut, Dan, “Methods for Tracked Vehicle System Modeling and Simulation”, Technical Report 2010-01, Simulation-Based Engineering Laboratory, University of Wisconsin, Jan. 2010.

[10] Senatorea, Jayakumarb, C. P., Iagnemma, K., “Experimental Study of Lightweight Tracked Vehicle Performance on Dry Granular Materials”, Proceedings of the ISTVS 7th Americas Regional Conference, Tampa, FL, USA. November 4-7, 2013.

[11] AMCP, “Engineering Design Handbook, Automotive Series: Automotive Suspensions”, AMCP 706-356, p.p. 10-23, April 1967.

[12] "HICE Vehicle Rough Road Course Test", Prepared by Electric Transportation Applications, 2004

[13] Rao, S. S., Mechanical Vibrations, 5th Edition, Mc Graw -hill, 2005.

 [14] AMCP, “Engineering Design Handbook, Automotive Series: The Automotive Assembly”, AMCP 706-355”.p.p. 3-28, Feb. 1965.