Cranfield University
Cranfield University
Cranfield University
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Laboratory Studies Into Undercarriage Systems<br />
The width of the different units depended on the belt width. The TerraTrac had a belt width<br />
of 635 mm whereas all other units ran with 750 mm wide belts. This had the consequence<br />
that the rut area for these treatments was bigger. The rut depth corresponded to some extent<br />
to the results of the soil displacement measurements. For the TerraTrac unit max rut depth<br />
and rut area were smallest compared to Stocks, SPT, and Westtrack although no difference<br />
was apparent from soil displacement measurement. The TerraTrac at 50 bar belt tension<br />
created as well a significantly deeper maximum rut depth and larger rut area than at 160<br />
and 200 bar.<br />
3.3.2.5 Discussion and Conclusions<br />
The performance of the Stocks and Westtrack units compared to the TerraTrac unit could<br />
be attributed to the wider belt. The wider belt enabled them to reduce contact time while<br />
maintaining similar contact pressures. Yet, contact time could not be the mere reason as<br />
both, the Stocks and SPT unit, had 0.68 s less contact time than the TerraTrac unit, how-<br />
ever, the soil displacement below the SPT unit was highest. A smooth pressure distribution<br />
is essential. The more rollers there were in a track unit and the closer together these rollers<br />
were, the more uniform became the pressure application as demonstrated by the Stocks<br />
unit. If the TerraTrac unit was equipped with the wider belt of the other units, it would<br />
most likely outperform them.<br />
Although the previous section could not show a large effect of belt tension on soil physical<br />
parameters for a friction driven rubber track system, the low belt pressure of the SPT is an<br />
additional reason for its larger impact on soil physical properties. This is in accordance<br />
with Wong’s (2007) requirement for high belt tension and reasonable roller distribution.<br />
The Appendix contains a brief theoretical background of sinkage caused by tracks applying<br />
Bekker (1960).<br />
For track development it can be concluded that there is an optimum amount of rollers. Too<br />
few rollers are disadvantageous as the Stocks unit outperforms SPT. But above a treshhold<br />
value, the benefit from additional rollers becomes marginal (comparison of Stocks to the<br />
Westtrack unit) which agrees with Wong (2001) and Bekker (1960).<br />
Ph.D. Thesis Dirk Ansorge (2007)<br />
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