A numerical simulation of track shoe traction with varying geometrical parameters in low friction coefficient soils

This paper proposes to analyze different designs of crawler track pads for low friction coefficient soils using geometrical parameters. According to past studies on crawler design, all these research concentrate on soils such as: muddy, flaky, difficult to access, etc. However, none of them have tested in places where the friction index is very low (0.03-0.02), for example: ice or terrains where not all the surface is in the same condition. In addition, it is known of the existence of different types of track pads or track systems for hard or paved terrains, but not for icy or muddy terrains, and according to NASA scientists there are surfaces with several unevenness and with low friction coefficient due to the ice layers that are formed by low temperatures. [1]Therefore, a numerical simulation is performed in order to find the best track design for situations where the terrain is not easily accessible and has a low level of friction coefficient. Using ANSYS Space Claim software for the development of the structure and validation of its resistance and ANSYS fluid to validate the capacity of adhesion to these types of soils to carry out the study and validation of the numerical simulation, testing with different materials and geometric shapes from which the information about its performance in these terrains will be obtained and give as a result the one that performs better.Due to the simulations, a geometry that stands out from the other 4 proposals was obtained. Although this one obtains good results in tensile sillumlations, contact area and static coefficient, it does not meet the objectives. This gives way to a new investigation taking into account other aspects and field tests.