Research on tracked vehicle dynamics is by and large limited to multi-rigid body simulation. For realistic prediction of vehicle dynamics, it is better to model the vehicle as multi-flexible body. In this paper, tracked vehicle is modelled as a mass-spring system with sprung and unsprung masses of the physical tracked vehicle by Finite element method. Using the equivalent vehicle model, dynamic studies are carried out by imparting vertical displacement inputs to the road wheels. Ride characteristics of the vehicle are captured by modelling the road wheel arms as flexible elements using Finite element method. In this work, a typical tracked vehicle test terrain viz., Trapezoidal blocks terrain (APG terrain) is considered. Through the simulations, the effect of the road wheel arm flexibility is monitored. Result of the analysis of equivalent vehicle model with flexible road wheel arms, is compared with the equivalent vehicle model with rigid road wheel arms and also with the experimental results of physical tracked vehicle. Though there is no major difference in the vertical bounce response between the flexible model and the rigid model, but there is a visible difference in the roll condition. Result of the flexible vehicle model is also reasonably matches with the experimental result.

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Tracked vehicles are meant to be used in the harsh cross country environment. In particular, the military tracked vehicles are highly exposed to severe terrains and critical handling conditions. Yet while carrying out the dynamic studies, the tracked vehicles, in general, are modeled as rigid bodies. Hence in this article, an attempt has been made to understand closely the dynamics of a tracked vehicle with the inclusion of some parts of the tracked vehicle viz., hull side plates and road wheel arms, as flexible bodies in the dynamic analysis using the finite element method. Result of the flexible dynamic simulation is also compared with the tracked vehicle analysis with the same parts modeled as rigid bodies. In this investigation, dimensions of the standard staggered trapezoidal blocks terrain meant for testing the tracked vehicles is used to carry out the dynamic studies on the tracked vehicle. The dynamic simulation result of the flexible tracked vehicle model is also compared with the experimental test result of the actual tracked vehicle conducted in the actual trapezoidal blocks terrain.