Title: Simulated steerability of a segmented rubber tracked vehicle during turning on sepang peat terrain in Malaysia

Authors: A. Rahman, A. Yahya, M. Zohadie, D. Ahmad, W. Ishak

Addresses: Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor D.E, Malaysia. ' Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor D.E, Malaysia. ' Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor D.E, Malaysia. ' Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor D.E, Malaysia. ' Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor D.E, Malaysia

Abstract: A simulation study on the steerability of a segmented rubber tracked vehicle on low-bearing-capacity peat terrain is performed by considering the position of the vehicle|s turning pole. A set of mathematical equations in the analytical model is used to predict all the important operating parameters of the vehicle during turning to establish the vehicle|s steerability. Seven road wheels are used on each side of the track in order to avoid the track deflection between two consecutive road wheels. A road wheel diameter of 0.22 m and road wheel spacing of 0.225 m are employed to keep the track on the terrain as a rigid footing. The simulation of vehicle steerability in this study is focused on considering the vehicle|s speed of 10 km/h. The turning pole coincides with the same level of the amount of eccentricity of nominal ground pressure and the resultant turning moment resistance.

Keywords: steering; peat terrain; tracked vehicles; vehicle simulation; vehicle stability; vehicle steerability; segmented rubber tracks; turning pole; turning moment resistance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHVS.2005.006380

International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, 2005 Vol.12 No.2, pp.139 - 168

Published online: 28 Feb 2005 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article