Simplified terrain identification and component fatigue damage estimation model for use in a health and usage monitoring system

Improved reliability of military ground vehicle systems is often in direct conflict with increased functionality and performance. Health and Usage Monitoring Systems or HUMS are being developed to address this issue. Traditionally, HUMS applications have been limited to high-cost equipment such as aircraft. In order to apply a HUMS to a relatively inexpensive military ground vehicle, simplified algorithms that derive terrain exposure from a basic set of sensors and estimate fatigue damage accumulated on components whose loading comes primarily from terrain have been developed. Various inputs and statistical parameters are evaluated for this model based on accuracy of terrain identification and quality of fatigue prediction on an example component. The generalized process and recommendations for application of this model to military ground vehicle systems are discussed.