Title: Dynamic analysis of tracked vehicles with trailing arm suspension and assessment of ride vibrations

Authors: S. Rakheja, M.F.R. Afonso, S. Sankar

Addresses: Associate Professor, CONCAVE Research Centre, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. ' Research Analyst, CONCAVE Research Centre, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. ' Professor and Director, CONCAVE Research Centre, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Abstract: Tracked vehicles, such as earthmoving and military vehicles, designed for mobility over rough terrains impose a severe ride environment. Prolonged exposure to such low frequency and large amplitude vibration can lead to driver discomfort, physiological damage, inefficient performance and thus reduced mobility performance. Ride characteristics of a military tracked vehicle are analysed via suspension, track tension, and track-terrain interactions. Ride response characteristics of nonlinear vehicle model are evaluated for stochastic excitations, arising from random terrains such as Belgian pave, ploughed field, pasture and MVEE course. Ride quality of the tracked vehicle is assessed in terms of average absorbed power associated with vertical and horizontal ride vibrations transmitted to the driver.

Keywords: bounce; damping; MVEE test course; nonlinear models; pave; pasture; pitch; ploughed fields; vehicle ride; rough terrains; shock absorbers; sprung mass; suspension; torsion bars; tracked vehicles; vehicle vibration; trailing arm suspension; mobility performance; military vehicles; vehicle modelling; vehicle design.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.1992.061713

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 1992 Vol.13 No.1, pp.56 - 77

Published online: 27 May 2014 *

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