DYNAMICS OF OFF-ROAD TRACKED VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TRAILING ARM SUSPENSION

A two-dimensional computer simulation model is developed for dynamic a nalysis of high-mobility tracked vehicles fitted with a trailing arm s uspension system. The simulation model is oriented as a design tool fo r detailed analysis of vehicle suspension dynamics and ride quality as sessment. The Lagrangian model formulation of a tracked vehicle is der ived by considering a rigid terrain of an arbitrary profile and consta nt forward vehicle speed. The model incorporates detailed representati ons of a vehicle suspension system and dynamic wheel-track-terrain int eractions. The wheel forces are evaluated based on an adaptive footpri nt formulation of a wheel/hack-terrain contact patch, and the track fo rces are modelled based on kinematic considerations. The computer mode l predictions are validated against field measurements, which were gat hered from an extensive field testing of an in-service armoured person nel carrier. The comparison between measured and simulated dynamic res ponses exhibits a fairly close correlation.