Design Parameters Optimization Simulation of a Prototype Segmented Rubber Track Vehicle for Sepang Peat in Malaysia

Abstract

This study describes a simulation model for studying the basic design parameters of a special rubber track vehicle with rigid link tracks system on Sepang peat terrain in Malaysia. The prototype parameters for a track system, including proper track width, ground contact length, pitch and grouser height, idler diameter and location, sprocket diameter and location, road-wheel diameter and geometrical arrangement, the ratio of the road-wheel spacing to track pitch and location of the center of gravity to ensure good tractive performance. The vehicle track width significantly affects the vehicle external motion resistance. The road-wheel spacing ensures the number of road-wheels and significantly affects the vehicle external motion resistance. The vehicle traveling speed affects the vehicle engine power requirement and vehicle steerability during turning on peat terrain. The simulated performance results such as vehicle average motion resistance coefficient of 6.8 to 7.9%, drawbar pull coefficient of 25.22 to 47% and the tractive efficiency of 74 to 77% for the vehicle slippage of 5 to 20% and indicate that the vehicle can meet the peat terrain field requirement with its optimal power consumption.