Tracked vehicle movement modelling

Abstract

Vehicles in civilian sector are mostly designed to provide maximal comfort and safety to the vehicle crew. On the other hand, there are also military vehicles on wheeled or tracked undercarriages. Secure maximum mobility, fire power and good resistance are the main tasks of these vehicles. Capability to fulfil all these requirements can positively or negatively affect the design and control of the vehicle. Although crew safety (vehicle resistance) is one of the priorities of a combat vehicle, but in combination with maximum cross-country capability and manoeuvrability, the crew comfort is greatly overlooked. Vibrations directly affect the systems and properties of combat and special vehicles. These vibrations occur, when the vehicle is operated - movement of tank treads, shooting, ride in complex terrain at high speeds, etc. Vibrations are transmitted from its sources to the hull area, where they have a direct impact on the vehicle crew, its health and fatigue. The incidence of motion sickness or disorders of organisms may occur in the worst cases, where the body is exposed to the effect of vibrations. Individual factors that influence the formation of vibrations in the field of tracked combat and special vehicles (e.g. APC, MBT) are analysed in the article. Operation of these military vehicles is financially demanding and in the peace period characterized by very small annual run. Therefore, a sophisticated model of a combat tracked vehicle has been supposed in multibody system MSC Adams and used to simulate the impact of vibrations on tracked vehicle crew. The model will also make it possible to replace real-world experiments of tracked vehicle dynamics with simulations and offer a wide range of uses, not only for subsequent investigation of vibration impact on human body. Partial results and evaluation of vibrations in relation to human health are mentioned in the final part of the article.