Modeling of terrain impact caused by tracked vehicles

Analytical models that can predict the terrain impact caused by tracked vehicles on a horizontal plane were developed and tested. The models included a disturbed width model and an impact severity model. Inputs of the terrain impact models included vehicle static properties, vehicle dynamic properties, and terrain properties. The tested vehicles included an M1A1 tank, an M577 Armored Personal Carrier (APC), and an M548 cargo carrier. The models were verified with field tests conducted in Yakima Training Center in Yakima, WA, Fort Riley, KS, and Camp Atterbury, Indiana. The average percentage errors of the disturbed width model for the M1A1, M577, and the M548 were 10.0%, 27.3%, and 8.5%, respectively. The average percentage errors of the impact severity model of the M1A1 and M577 were 25.0% and 21.4%, respectively.