Evaluation of the Soil Thrust on Continuous Tracks Considering Independent Soil Shearing by Grousers

Soil thrust is a traction force of an off-road tracked vehicle. Existing soil assessment methods assume that continuous shear failure plane exists along the soil-track interface. However, recent experimental works revealed beneath track divided into blocks; each block sheared independently. This study proposed new total method based on block-shaped mechanism, and predicted by existing was compared. The results showed greater maximum at lower slip rate than method. When exhibited hardening behavior, in always when softening behavior or hump until specific ratio, after which latter became greater. Unlike method, can consider difference with grouser shape showing increased as height ratio decreased.