Soft terrain CFD simulation for tracked vehicles

This study demonstrates the possibility of implementing a Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) approach to study the behavior of a tracked vehicle when it moves on a soft terrain, such as mud, snow, or other. The advantage of tracked vehicles is their ability to move efficiently on unpaved terrains. It...

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Main Authors: Luca Piancastelli, Luca Raboni, Christian Leon-Cardenas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Cogent Engineering
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311916.2025.2473349
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author Luca Piancastelli
Luca Raboni
Christian Leon-Cardenas
author_facet Luca Piancastelli
Luca Raboni
Christian Leon-Cardenas
author_sort Luca Piancastelli
collection DOAJ
description This study demonstrates the possibility of implementing a Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) approach to study the behavior of a tracked vehicle when it moves on a soft terrain, such as mud, snow, or other. The advantage of tracked vehicles is their ability to move efficiently on unpaved terrains. It is well known that the power requirement increases approximately with the cube of sinkage; therefore, having a suitable track to move within a specific type of terrain is of great relevance. This paper aims to propose a simulation and calculation method for studying various track geometries based on the terrain in which the vehicle will operate. By examining the track of an existing tank, the Abrams M1, with various parameters and essential data available for this verification, the necessary simulations are carried out. By investigating the case of a soft terrain, which has a much lower density than the paved one, the track can be assumed as a rigid body and the mud will be the fluid that surrounds it at a uniform velocity. In this way, a CFD simulation can be carried out. This process will output the true sinkage, the hull position and the power required.
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spelling doaj-art-e84ada27eee34c919431fb8b197e1e7f2025-08-20T02:30:06ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Engineering2331-19162025-12-0112110.1080/23311916.2025.2473349Soft terrain CFD simulation for tracked vehiclesLuca Piancastelli0Luca Raboni1Christian Leon-Cardenas2Department of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, ItalyDepartment of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, ItalyDepartment of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, ItalyThis study demonstrates the possibility of implementing a Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) approach to study the behavior of a tracked vehicle when it moves on a soft terrain, such as mud, snow, or other. The advantage of tracked vehicles is their ability to move efficiently on unpaved terrains. It is well known that the power requirement increases approximately with the cube of sinkage; therefore, having a suitable track to move within a specific type of terrain is of great relevance. This paper aims to propose a simulation and calculation method for studying various track geometries based on the terrain in which the vehicle will operate. By examining the track of an existing tank, the Abrams M1, with various parameters and essential data available for this verification, the necessary simulations are carried out. By investigating the case of a soft terrain, which has a much lower density than the paved one, the track can be assumed as a rigid body and the mud will be the fluid that surrounds it at a uniform velocity. In this way, a CFD simulation can be carried out. This process will output the true sinkage, the hull position and the power required.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311916.2025.2473349Tracked vehiclesground pressurepowermobilityCFDDesign
spellingShingle Luca Piancastelli
Luca Raboni
Christian Leon-Cardenas
Soft terrain CFD simulation for tracked vehicles
Cogent Engineering
Tracked vehicles
ground pressure
power
mobility
CFD
Design
title Soft terrain CFD simulation for tracked vehicles
title_full Soft terrain CFD simulation for tracked vehicles
title_fullStr Soft terrain CFD simulation for tracked vehicles
title_full_unstemmed Soft terrain CFD simulation for tracked vehicles
title_short Soft terrain CFD simulation for tracked vehicles
title_sort soft terrain cfd simulation for tracked vehicles
topic Tracked vehicles
ground pressure
power
mobility
CFD
Design
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311916.2025.2473349
work_keys_str_mv AT lucapiancastelli softterraincfdsimulationfortrackedvehicles
AT lucaraboni softterraincfdsimulationfortrackedvehicles
AT christianleoncardenas softterraincfdsimulationfortrackedvehicles