FATIGUE TESTS OF GROUSERS FOR AMPHIBIAN TRACTORS

Abstract

The amphibian tractor, or LVT, runs on an endless track having cleats, or grousers, to dig into the ground or push against the water. These grousers are weldments, the web being welded to the base plate which is, in turn, bolted to the drive chain. In service the welds of the grousers were cracking under fatigue loads. The David Taylor Model Basin was asked to test several designs under a bending fatigue loading which would give the same type of failure as that occurring in the field. Four different basic designs made up in cast and welded steel and in cast aluminum were tested to determine the design and material which had the greatest resistance to fatigue failure.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 1948
Accession Number
AD0650176

Entities

People

  • Glover B. Mayfield

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aluminum
  • Amphibians
  • Deflection
  • Electric Motors
  • Electrodes
  • Fabrication
  • Fatigue Tests (Mechanics)
  • Gages
  • Hydraulic Jacks
  • Laboratory Tests
  • Machines
  • Materials
  • Measurement
  • Model Basins
  • Navy
  • Ship Model Basins
  • Static Loads

Readers

  • Logistics and Supply Chain Management.
  • Marine Hydrodynamics
  • Metallurgy