Analysis of the influence of the metal wheel radial stiffness on traction characteristics

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The traction characteristic of a wheel mover depends both on its type and rigidity properties, and on the physico-mechanical soil properties. The combined use of the discrete element method to describe the soil and the finite element method to model the wheel makes it possible to specify and expand the existing empirical models of the interaction of the mover with the ground. The application of this method will reduce the amount of full-scale testing required to verify the interaction model. AIMS: Development the traction characteristic of a metal wheel by varying its design parameters. METHODS: To develop a mathematical model of a metal wheel and determine traction characteristics, numerical methods of discrete and finite elements are used. RESULTS: In this paper, a metal wheel mathematical model with ability to vary the thickness of the elastic sidewall was developed. Radial stiffness characteristics were obtained for three wheel samples. The developed mathematical model of the interaction of a wheel mover with a ground is based on the application of discrete and finite element methods. In this paper, a proportional controller was used to application of forces to the wheel mover. The dependences of the longitudinal reaction coefficient on the slip coefficient were obtained and a comparative analysis of the radial stiffness influence on traction characteristics was carried out. CONCLUSIONS: The combined application of the discrete and finite element methods will make it possible to determine the traction characteristics of the movers of various designs when interacting with a deformable soil and to evaluate the influence of its design parameters on it.