Finite Element Prediction of Soil Compaction Induced by Various Running Gears

Abstract

A three-dimensional finite element model was used to predict soil compaction induced by different running gears used on heavy liquid manure spreaders on two different soils. The finite element analyses were conducted for three types of tires: conventional implement I-1 high flotation bias tires, radial tires, and low pressure R-3 tires; and three types of running gears: two-, three- and four-axle. The soil compaction under removable rubber tracks was also studied under the assumption of uniform stress distribution. The results showed that substituting radial tires or low pressure tires for high flotation bias tires reduced soil compaction levels and that increasing the number of axles of the running gears lowered soil compaction significantly without increasing the width of the compacted zone. The results also implied that track-based running gears would possibly reduce traffic induced soil compaction. The simulation confirmed that axle load and the number of wheel passes were two major factors influencing subsoil compaction. The study of compaction on two soils indicated that, with similar running gears, compaction in clay soils was far more severe than that in coarsely textured soils.