Ride Dynamics of High-Speed Tracked Vehicles: Simulation with Field Validation

SUMMARY Ride dynamic behaviour of a typical high-speed tracked vehicle, such as a conventional military armoured personnel carrier (APC) negotiating rough off-road terrains, is studied through computer simulations and field tests. A comprehensive ride dynamic simulation model is developed, assuming constant forward vehicle speed and non-deformable terrain profile. The ride model includes dynamic track load and wheel/track-terrain interaction. Dynamic track load is modeled in view of track belt stretching and initial track tension, whereas an equivalent damper and continuous radial spring formulation is employed to model wheel/track-terrain interaction. Field testing of a APC subjected to discrete half round obstacles of various radii, a sinusoidal course, a random course, and a Belgian Pave\ is carried out for various vehicle configurations and speeds. Computer simulation results are validated against field measured results. The comparison of measured and predicted results shows generally good agreement.