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Cranfield University

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Ancillary Experiments<br />

7 ANCILLARY EXPERIMENTS AND ANALYSES<br />

This Chapter contains ancillary experiments conducted to explain a particular behavior<br />

observed as for the strong surface layer (Section 7.1) and for the influence of lugs on verti-<br />

cal soil displacement (Section 7.2). Further analysis of soil density and contact pressure<br />

data lead heuristically to a new parameter load per perimeter length (Section 7.3). Particu-<br />

larly of interest became a comparison of sinkage caused by peak vs. average pressures<br />

from discussions with soil scientists and a lack of data in literature (Section 7.4). Finally<br />

the vertical soil failure observed in this study and others will be compared to theoretical<br />

considerations (Section 7.5).<br />

7.1 Investigation into Track Behavior causing Strong Surface Layer<br />

7.1.1 Theoretical explanation<br />

The explanation for the high surface penetration resistance caused by the tracks close to the<br />

surface shown in Section 3.2 and by Ansorge (2005, a) will be considered in this section.<br />

Whilst initially of some concern, it is much more easily removed than the deeper compac-<br />

tion caused by the tyres (Ansorge and Godwin, 2007). This layer is also of value by reduc-<br />

ing the subsequent amount of soil displacement caused by the rear tyres, compared to that<br />

following a wheel as shown in Figure 32.<br />

The high penetrometer resistance was thought to originate from either vertical soil compac-<br />

tion close to the surface or the application of shear forces during the passage of the track.<br />

If the high penetrometer resistance was caused by vertical soil compaction this would be<br />

visible from a change in the slope of the soil displacement curves near the soil surface.<br />

Hence, the average slope of the soil displacement lines should indicate a larger increase in<br />

soil density for the tracks than for tyres in the top 300 mm. Figure 97 shows the relevant<br />

data from Ansorge (2005, a) including the best fit linear regression lines. However, inde-<br />

pendent of the depths considered, the average slope for the tracks was always larger than<br />

the slope for the tyres with the exception of the 800/10.5/1.25, indicating less vertical soil<br />

displacement and compaction for the tracks at the surface. Hence, the peak was more likely<br />

to be caused by the shear forces applied for an extended time period by the track.<br />

Ph.D. Thesis Dirk Ansorge (2007)<br />

139

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