Paper presented at ISTVS 2025 | 55th Conference of the International Society for Terrain-Vehicle Systems https://doi.org/10.56884/H9K33U27
Authors: Susan Frankenstein, Allan Wheeler, Bruce Elder
Keywords: Soil freeze/thaw; peat; rut depth
Abstract:
Laboratory and field studies were conducted over three years on fine grained and peat soils measuring the effects of soil properties on vehicle performance, namely drawbar pull, and motion resistance. Tests were conducted for unfrozen, frozen, and thawed states using eight different vehicles both wheeled and tracked. In the laboratory, soil moisture and temperature could be controlled. In both the field and laboratory, the soils were tilled then smoothed before testing. The soil was characterized pre and post testing using a variety of strength instruments. Rut depths associated with motion resistance tests were recorded. This paper discusses the effects of measured soil properties on rut depth as a function of soil state as well as compares results to existing algorithms. When possible, comparison of soil properties from different measurement techniques are compared.
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