Development of High-Mobility Tracked Vehicles for over Snow Operations

Keynote Speaker    Jo Y. Wong,   Ph.D., D.Sc.
Professor Emeritus and Distinguished Research Professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering,
Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6, Canada

Abstract    This talk addresses a detailed investigation into the effects of some of the major design features on the mobility of tracked vehicles over snow. The investigation was carried out using the latest version of an advanced computer simulation model known as NTVPM, developed under the auspices of Vehicle Systems Development Corporation (VSDC), Ottawa, Canada. Results show that the road wheel system configuration, initial track tension (i.e., the tension in the track system when the vehicle is stationary on level, hard ground) and track width have significant effects on vehicle mobility over snow. On deep snow where the vehicle belly contacts the snow surface, the longitudinal location of the center of gravity has a noticeable effect on mobility, as it affects the belly attitude and hence the belly-snow interaction. Based on the results obtained, a conceptual high-mobility tracked vehicle for over snow operations is discussed. This study demonstrates that NTVPM is a useful and effective tool for design and performance evaluation of tracked vehicles from a traction perspective.

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DIRTY, FAST CARS: How a Greater Understanding of High-Speed, Loose-Surface Vehicle, Tire, and Driver Dynamics Can Make the World a Better Place

Keynote Speaker    Tim O'Neil
President and Owner, Team O'Neil, LLC, USA
CEO, Vehicle Control Training, LLC, USA
Permanent Board Member, Vehicle Control Education, Inc. , USA

Abstract    The economic and human burden of poor road safety has become such that world wide it has reached a crisis state, severely impeding economic and social growth. Although the outcry to improve road safety is focused on developing countries, the economic burden on first world economies is tremendous as well. The U.N., World Bank, World Health Organization, U.S. Centers for Disease Control, U.S. National Highway Transportation Safety Agency, Royal Automobile Club of England, Asia Injury Prevention Foundation, the FIA, and many others make up a formal collaboration addressing road safety as a global issue.

Independent of this effort, in February of 2006 sister companies Vehicle Control Training and Team O'Neil began investigating how to improve driver safety in the U.S. and, we hoped at the time, how to improve driver safety world wide.

Vehicle Control Training and Team O'Neil have now partnered with the U.S. Army's Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, Georgia Institute of Technology, MIT, and Ford Motor Company to systematically and comprehensively investigate substrate, tire, vehicle, and human dynamics involved in navigating wheeled vehicles at high-speed on tire-deformable surfaces. As a five-time North American and U.S. Rally Champion and, more importantly, the western hemisphere's premiere instructor of loose surface car control, Tim O'Neil provides unique expertise in this investigation. Our 650-acre instructional and research facility with over 6.5 miles of realistic loose-surface roads is an exceptional test and engineering environment. Our team, with members from defense, academia, and industry, is outstanding. And we invite all with expertise and a dedication to mission to consider collaborative possibilities.

This talk will make the strong connection between a rally driver's skills and knowledge and the development of more effective drivers' training, vehicle active safety systems, road design and construction, as well as autonomous vehicle design.

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Terrain Modeling

Keynote Speaker    David J. Gorsich,   Ph.D.
Director for Strategic Plans and Programs,
U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC)

Abstract    Terrain modeling is critical to nearly all aspects of ground vehicle design. Whether developing an engine or suspension system, ensuring structural reliability, or controllability and comfort, the characteristics of the terrain surface and soil underneath is critical to understand. The U.S. Army has been a key leader in the modeling and characterization of the terrain. Since the 1950s with Becker, many things have changed. This presentation will discuss the development of terrain modeling since then, and talk about the most current methods of modeling the terrain, and challenges to define it properly to correctly determine design trade-offs.

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The USA ERDC's Research on the Micromechanical Behavior of Snow and Soil and Its Application to Terrain-Machine Interactions

Keynote Speaker    Jerome B. Johnson,   Ph.D
Geophysicist, Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory
USA ERDC-CRREL, P.O. Box 35170, Ft. Wainwright, AK 99703-0170, USA

Abstract    To use experimental test results and physical discrete element method (DEM) simulations done by ERDC staff and collaborators to describe micro-mechanical processes that affect snow and soil mechanical behavior and terrain-machine interactions. This would be done by presenting results of micro- and macro scale tests that show physical processes and then describe the physical DEMs that ERDC hase developed to capture the micro-scale processes to describe macro-scale responses (e.g., for snow: particle rearrangement and particle contact creep, re-sintering, rupture related to bulk compaction, viscosity, and shear strength; for soil, macro-scale force chains, particle size distribution effects [transition from granular to clay like behavior - etc.]). Machine-terrain interactions that we may wish to highlight can be broad. For example, The triaxial cell related to triaxial tests, the aircraft wheel and plow simulations from GSL, The Mars rover wheel interaction with martian regolith. In addition to these machine-terrain interactions, it would be valuable to demonstrate the use of DEM simulation of actual micro- or macro-scale tests.