Simulated Analysis of a Wheeled Tractor on Soft Soil Based on RecurDyn
Wenqian Huang, Feijun Xu, Jishuai Ge, Chi Zhang, Computer and Computing Technologies in Agriculture V, 2012, pp 332-342.
Abstract
A simulation model of a wheeled tractor was built using the multi-body dynamics software RecurDyn. The model consisted of four wheels, front and rear axles, and a body frame. An interaction model between tires and soft soil was established using the Soil-tire module of RecurDyn. The simulations of displacement and force of the tires were conducted on 20° up-slope, 44° ultimate up-slope, 20° down-slope and 34° ultimate down-slope roads respectively. The performance of a wheeled tractor over a cylindrical obstacle was analyzed under two different speeds. Results showed that forces of the front wheel were different on different slope roads. The maximum impact force of the front wheel increased by 68% as the up-slope increasing from 20° to 44°. The maximum impact force of the front wheel decreased by 8% when the down-slope changing from 20° to 34°. The maximum force of the front wheel decreased by 16% when the wheeled tractor over a cylindrical obstacle with the speeds decreasing from 1.356m/s to 0.678m/s.
How Multibody Dynamics Simulation Technology is Used
The Soil-Tire module of RecurDyn can be used to model a wheeled tractor running over various terrains. Displacements and impact forces of the tires could be compared across the different terrains. The result was that the trends of the loading cases as a function of terrain slope and vehicle speed could be understood and quantified.
