Design, Fabrication, and Testing of a Composite Hull for a Tracked Amphibious Vehicle. Volume 1
Abstract
Lightweight composite hulls are needed for possible use on future amphibian vehicles. This contract required the design, fabrication, and testing of a composite hull vehicle. The activity reported herein includes documentation of the vehicle design, and design and fabrication of fifteen test panels of the proposed sidewall construction. This report describes vehicle fabrication and compares weight and cost relative to a similar, aluminum-hulled vehicle. The report recommends materials improvements, gives selection criteria, and documents materials testing. Also included is a finite element analysis providing structural evaluation on the effects of given vehicle loads and tile attachment stresses, and a vehicle repairability study. Fabrication, inspection and testing activities are summarized, along with results of testing performed at the U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Vehicle Test Branch, Camp Pendleton, California. This work supports both the feasibility and use of composite hulls for tracked amphibious vehicles and recommends the continued development of composite hulled amphibian vehicles.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 29, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA204901
Entities
People
- A. L. Foote
Organizations
- FMC Corporation