An analytical framework for predicting the ground pressure distribution and tractive performance of tracked vehicles is presented. It takes into account all major design parameters of the vehicle as well as the pressure-sinkage and shearing characteristics and the response to repetitive loading of the terrain. The subsequent substantiation of the analytical method by means of full-scale tests made with an instrumented vehicle is described. A comparison between the theoretical prediction and test results is made and it is found that there is a fairly close agreement between them. This paper includes three sections: (i) an analytical method for predicting the normal pressure distribution; (ii) an analytical method for predicting the shear stress distribution and tractive performance; (iii) experimental substantiation of the analytical framework by means of full-scale tests. The analyticalframework presented is suitable for evaluating the effects of vehicle design parameters and terrain conditions on the performance of tracked vehicles with relatively short track pitch designed for high speed operation and for comparing the tractive performance of different tracked vehicle designs.angle of shearing resistance b,, 4, contact angles of the roadwheel with the track on the left-and right-hand side, respectively w angular speed

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This paper describes the results of an investigation into the effects of the characteristics of the suspension system, initial track tension, vehicle weight and location of the centre of gravity on the tractive performance of tracked vehicles over unprepared terrain. The investigation was carried out using a newly developed computer simulation model N T V P M -8 6 . The results show that the suspension characteristics, initial track tension and vehicle weight have noticeable effects on the mobility of tracked vehicles over marginal terrain, while the location of the centre of gravity, within the normal range, has a less significant influence on the tractive performance. It is demonstrated that the simulation model N T V P M -8 6 can play a signijicant role in the optimization of tracked vehicle design or in the evaluation of vehicle candidates for a given mission and environment.