Simulation and Field Testing of Tracked Vehicle Suspension Dynamics

A nonlinear, in-plane ride dynamic simulation model of a typical off-road tracked vehicle is developed assuming constant forward vehicle speed and nondeformable terrain surface. The ride model includes nonlinear suspension characteristics, wheel/track-terrain interactions, and dynamic track loads. An equivalent damper and continuous radial spring formulation is employed to model wheel/track-terrain interactions, whereas dynamic track loads are modeled in view of track belt stretching and initial track tension. Typical simulation results are presented for a conventional armoured personnel carrier traversing discrete half round obstacles, and a random course, and are validated against field measurements. The predicted ride responses exhibit generally good agreement with field test data.