Terramechanics and Off-road Vehicles

Nomenclature. 1. Introduction. Role of terramechanics. Some basic issues in terramechanics. Approaches to terramechanics. 2. Measurement of Terrain Behavior. Cone penetrometer technique. Bevameter technique. 3. Characterization of the Response of Terrains to Normal and Repetitive Loadings. Response of mineral terrains. Response of muskegs. Response of snow covers. 4. Characterization of the Shearing Behavior of Terrains. Characterization of the shear stress-displacement relationships. Shearing behavior of various types of terrain. Behavior of terrain under repetitive shear loading. 5. Methods for Predicting and Evaluating Tracked Vehicle Performance. Empirical methods. Theoretical methods. Methods for parametric analysis. 6. Computer-Aided Methods for Evaluating Tracked Vehicle Performance. Approach to the prediction of normal pressure distribution under a track. The shape of the deflected track. Prediction of shear stress distribution under a track. Effects of shear stresses on the normal pressure distribution. Prediction of motion resistance and drawbar pull. Experimental substantiation. Comparison of predictions with experimental results. 7. Applications of the Computer-Aided Method to the Parametric Analysis of Tracked Vehicle Design and Performance. Effects of track system configuration on tractive performance. Effects on suspension characteristics on tractive performance. Effects of initial tack tension on tractive performance. Effects of vehicle weight on tractive performance. Effects of the location of the centre of gravity on tractive performance. Effects of vehicle ground clearance on tractive performance. Effects of sprocket location on tractive performance. Discussions. 8. Methods for Predicting and Evaluating Wheeled Vehicle Performance. Empirical methods. Theoretical methods. Semi-empirical methods developed by Bekker. 9. Developments in the Methods for Predicting the Performance of Tires and Wheeled Vehicles. Computer-aided method for evaluating the performance of tires. Computer-aided method for evaluating the performance of wheeled vehicles. Applications of the computer-aided method for parametric evaluation of wheeled vehicle performance. Applications of the finite element technique to tire modelling in the analysis of tire-terrain interaction. References. Index.