On a Gross Traction Generated at Grouser for Tracked Agricultural Vehicles

Abstract

Abstract The cross-section shape of a single grouser shoe is known as one of governing factors for generating gross traction of tracked vehicles working on deformable terrain. Previous studies revealed that not only the height of grouser but also the thickness of grouser affected the gross traction. In this study, to prepare for the development of predicting the gross traction of rubber track system, an in-house 2D DEM program was developed and refined for the analysis of gross traction generated by a single rigid grouser. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of grouser height and width on the gross traction of a grouser, and to numerically observe the source of gross traction of a grouser. Numerical results confirmed larger gross traction for smaller thickness ratio of 0.1, which was observed in the 2D experimental results using artificial model soil. For large thickness ratios of 0.3 and 0.5, deteriorating behavior of gross traction can be seen in DEM. Moreover, it was confirmed that gross traction of a grouser in DEM was mostly generated by the action of vertical face of grouser for thickness ratios of 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5.