Impact of Loading Distribution of Abrams Suspension on Track Performance and Durability

Abstract

High life cycle costs coupled with durability and environmental challenges of tracked vehicles in South West Asia (SWA) have focused R&D activities on understanding failure modes of track components as well as understanding the system impacts on track durability. The durability limiters for M1 Abrams (M1, M1A1, and M1A2) T-158LL track systems are the elastomeric components. The focus of this study is to review test methodology utilized to collect preliminary data on the loading distribution of a static vehicle. Proposed design changes and path forward for prediction of durability of elastomers at the systems level from component testing will be presented.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 03, 2009
Accession Number
ADA508723

Entities

People

  • Bill Bradford
  • David Ostberg

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Elastomers
  • Engineering
  • Failure Mode And Effect Analysis
  • Geometry
  • Ground Vehicles
  • Load Cells
  • Materials
  • Materials Testing
  • Measurement
  • Outboard
  • Software Testing
  • Surface Temperature
  • Systems Engineering
  • Test Methods
  • Tracked Vehicles
  • Vehicles

Readers

  • East Asian Political and Security Studies within the Soviet Union
  • Polymer Science and Engineering.
  • Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Autonomous Capabilities and Mission Reconnaissance.