Field Evaluation of Tank Track Pad Failures
Abstract
This report describes a series of experiments that were performed at the Yuma Proving Grounds to better understand the problem of track pad failures. In one series of tests, high speed motion photography was used to study the deformation and operational characteristics of the T142 track. In another series of tests, the temperature buildup in pads was studied on the T 142 track. Testing was done on the paved, gravel, and cross-country courses at Yuma. The results of the movie studies show that significant tensile stresses were introduced into the pads as they scrubbed over obstacles. Localized loads and large applied shear stresses introduced during turning operations can also cause tensile stresses. We believe these factors have a dominant role in the cutting and chunking process. The temperature data was taken for hte surface as well as the interior of the pad and showed that high temperatures can be produced in track pads. There is also a large temperature difference between tests run on the three courses. These differences were shown to be due to the different heat generation rates produced on these three courses. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADA129249
Entities
People
- D. R. Lesuer
- J. Patt
- R. H. Cornell
- S. D. Santor
Organizations
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory