Effect of Tangential Adhesion on Traction of Grouser Shoe

Abstract

The general objective of this study is to find the optimum dimension of grouser shoe of tracked vehicles for best tractive performance. Specifically it aimed to find out the effect of tangential adhesion generated on grouser tip surface that is in contact with soil on the traction of the grouser shoe. The traction of the grouser shoe was predicted at different soil moisture content using three-dimensional shearing model. Then, an experiment was conducted using 6 kinds of soil moisture content and the tangential adhesion generated in the interface between steel and soil and the traction of the grouser shoe were measured. Result showed that the tangential adhesion varies with the increase of soil moisture content and significantly affect the traction of grouser shoe. Moreover, the measured traction coincided perfectly with the predicted one demonstrating the appropriateness of the three-dimensional shearing model in predicting traction of grouser shoe.