Browse Topic: Environment

Items (42,100)
ABSTRACT Rubber tracks are now extremely competitive for vehicles up to 50 tons and fully fielded on 39 ton vehicles. They represent the best of what technology can offer for tracked vehicles, in terms of high durability, performance and low life cycle cost. This is mainly attributed to the optimization through the five (5) technological tools described in this paper. Better from its numerous distinctive advantages, rubber tracks can be adapted to suit virtually any specific need. This ductile rubber track technology can be shaped to match today’s requirements, with the help of advanced rubber compounding and computer simulations
Marcotte, Tommy
ABSTRACT Ground vehicle mobility in soft soil is crucial to many military missions. Thus, it has been tested and quantified in a metric called Vehicle Cone Index (VCI) since World War II. VCI provides an index of the minimum soil strength necessary for vehicle mobility. The standard operating procedure for VCI field testing and data analysis is detailed herein. Also, a new method for quantifying VCI uncertainty has been proposed, which uses confidence bounds on mean measurements of soil strength. A sample analysis of actual field data is provided
Stevens, Maria T.Towne, Brent W.Osorio, Javier E.Mason, George L.
ABSTRACT Ground combat vehicles can operate in regions characterized by various types and severities of injuries – resulting from improvised explosive devices (IEDs), gunfire or heat illness – as well as extreme climates such as desert environments. Because of the wounded warrior’s compromised physical condition, their thermal surroundings within the vehicle are especially important. This paper presents insights gleaned from the Army medical community, as well as a simple study of the effect of heat on soldiers in a ground combat vehicle using CFD / thermal modeling and simulation tools and methodologies. In particular, an Army-patented method for controlling body temperature via skin temperature feedback together with a cooling vest and pants ensemble is employed
Tison, NathanSmith, Rob E.
ABSTRACT Recent advances in the capabilities of personal, workstation, and cloud computing platforms have spurred developments in many computational fields. Terramechanics, involving the study of the dynamic interactions between vehicle and terrain, could, to great benefit, leverage existing compute power towards the use of higher fidelity models. In this paper, we outline the formulation and implementation of an inelastic continuum based soil model in a multibody system (MBS) simulation environment. Such a new computational environment will allow for the simulation of the complex and dynamic interactions occurring at the interface between tracks and wheels, and the ground. The soil model is developed using the absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF) finite elements. In deformable terrain, soil is modeled as a set of 8-node brick ANCF elements whose mechanical behavior may be defined by a suitable constitutive model. A Drucker-Prager plasticity material, which is used to model the
Contreras, UlyssesRecuero, Antonio M.Hamed, Ashraf M.Wei, ChengFoster, CraigJayakumar, ParamsothyLetherwood, Michael D.Gorsich, David J.Shabana, Ahmed A.
ABSTRACT This research paper addresses the ground vehicle reliability prediction process based on a new integrated reliability prediction framework. The paper is an extension of the paper presented last year at the GVSETS symposium. The integrated stochastic framework combines the computational physics-based predictions with experimental testing information for assessing vehicle reliability. The integrated reliability prediction approach incorporates the following computational steps: i) simulation of stochastic operational environment, ii) vehicle multi-body dynamics analysis, iii) stress prediction in subsystems and components, iv) stochastic progressive damage analysis, and v) component life prediction, including the effects of maintenance and, finally, iv) reliability prediction at component and system level. To solve efficiently and accurately the challenges coming from large-size computational mechanics models and high-dimensional stochastic spaces, a HPC simulation-based
Ghiocel, Dan M.Negrut, DanLamb, DavidGorsich, David
ABSTRACT The main goal of this paper is to report recent progress on two example projects supported within the Ground Robotics Reliability Center (GRRC), a TARDEC supported research center headquartered at the University of Michigan. In the first project, the concept of Velocity Occupancy Space (VOS), a new navigation algorithm that allows a robot to operate using only a range finding sensor in an unknown environment was developed. This method helps a mobile robot to avoid stationary and moving obstacles while navigating towards a target. The second project highlighted is related to energy and power requirement of mobile robots. Hazardous terrains pose challenges to the operation of mobile robots. To enable their safe and efficient operations, it is necessary to detect the terrain type and to modify operation and control strategies in real-time. A research project supported by GRRC has developed a closed-form wheel-soil model. Computational efficiency of this model is improved by
Peng, HueiUlsoy, A. Galip
ABSTRACT One primary system integration challenge for a terrain measurement system is the triggering and time synchronization of all subsystems. Since individual measurement systems vary in their triggering requirements, both in terms of voltage levels and response times, a comprehensive triggering architecture is difficult to implement. Examples of triggering signal inputs include: a transistor-transistor logic (TTL) compliant signal, an RS-232 compliant signal, and an open/close switch circuit. Pulse-triggering signals are also present, and enable continuous time synchronization between instruments. Therefore, a triggering scheme is proposed capable of accurately initiating, synchronizing, and concluding data collection from multiple sensors and subsystems. Simulation of complete circuit designs show that the trigger circuit is capable of properly processing a single physical switch input signal into a TTL-compliant trigger signal. Synchronization pulse signals are likewise amplified
Binns, RobertFerris, John B.
ABSTRACT Sustaining readiness is a core component of the Army Modernization Strategy and the fleet of ground vehicles must be capable and available to fight when called to action even as additional requirements such as additional armor and electrical loads are imposed on such systems. In support of this principle, Combat Capabilities Development Command Ground Vehicle Systems Center (CCDC GVSC) provided Program Executive Office Ground Combat Systems with modeling and simulation (M&S) expertise to analyze soft soil towing capability of a notional recovery vehicle. The analysis involved simulating a notional recovery vehicle and disabled towed main battle tank up a slope and developing design changes to improve soft soil towing performance
Cole, MichaelGoryca, JillSingh, AmandeepRoss, Brant
ABSTRACT Ground vehicle soft soil mobility has been studied for decades. Standard measurements, such as cone penetrometer, determine soil strength which helps analyze vehicle mobility. These methods are only available where data can be collected. As off-road vehicles transition to autonomous and semi-autonomous, real time in-situ analysis of soil strength is becoming a necessity. Databases such as GeoWATCH provide coarse (30-90m geospatial resolution) mobility parameter estimates. Hydrologic events can cause rapid changes in mobility which may not be effectively captured by these databases. In order to make real time predictions for autonomous vehicles, it is necessary to develop a method to determine mobility parameters without operator intervention. A system using rut depth measurements (collected via optical and ultrasonic sensors) and vehicle parameters was developed from established methods to estimate soil strength. The results were compared to corresponding physical measurements
Fischell, Jason N.Hansen, Bradley S.Jackson, J. RebekahEylander, John B.
ABSTRACT All-Terrain off-road environments are the next frontier for autonomous vehicles to overcome. However, there are many obstacles in the way of this goal. Artificial intelligence has proven to be an invaluable asset in developing perception and path planning systems capable of overcoming these obstacles, but these AI systems fundamentally rely on the availability of data related to the operational environment in order to succeed. Currently, there is no unifying ontology for this data. This has inhibited progress on training AI by reducing the availability of cross-integrable datasets. We present ATLAS: A labeling ontology composed of over 200 labels specifically designed to encompass all-terrain off-road environments. This ontology will lay the ground work for creating scalable standardized all terrain off-road data and will enable future AI by providing an expansive and well labeled ontology that can push the field of autonomous vehicles to new heights. Citation: W. Smith, D
Smith, WestonGrabowsky, DavidMikulski, Dariusz
ABSTRACT Multi-wheeled off-road vehicles performance depends not only on the total engine power but also on its distribution among the drive axles/wheels. In this paper, a combat vehicle model was developed to examine dynamic performance on rigid and soft terrain. The vehicle dynamics is validated on rigid road against published measured data. Also non-linear tire look-up tables for rigid and soft terrain were constructed based on developed three-dimensional non-linear Finite Element Analysis off-road tire using PAM-CRASH. The measured and predicted results are compared on the basis of vehicle steering, yaw rates and accelerations using published US Army validation criteria. The validated combat vehicle model then used to study vehicle lane-change maneuverability on rigid and soft terrain at different speeds and powertrain configurations. This comparison showed the importance of having active torque distribution system on soft terrain especially at high speeds
Ragheb, H.El-Gindy, M.Kishawy, H. A.
ABSTRACT This study utilized computer simulations to analyze the influence of vehicle weight on automotive performance, terrain traversability, combat effectiveness, and operational energy for the M1A2 Abrams, M2A3 Bradley, and M1126 Stryker. The results indicate that a 15% reduction in combat vehicle weight correlates to 0-20% or greater improvements in: automotive mobility (top speed, speed on grade, dash time, fuel economy), terrain traversability (minimum required soil strength, % Go-NoGo, off road speed), combat effectiveness (% of combat effective outcomes, hits sustained, time, average and top speed in kill zone), and operational energy (gallons of fuel and fuel truck deliveries). While it has always been “understood” that vehicle weight impacts performance, this study has actually successfully quantified the impact. Through the use of multiple simulation tools, this study shows that reduced vehicle weight improves automotive performance, which directly improves the combat
Hart, Robert J.Gerth, Richard J.
Abstract Military vehicles need prime power and auxiliary power systems with ever-increasing power density and specific power, as well as greater fuel economy, lower noise, lower exhaust emissions and greater stealth. D-STAR technologies, funded by the Army, DARPA, Marine Corps / Navy and others, are enabling a new generation of modified-HCCI (homogenous charge compression ignition) engines that simultaneously offer power density and specific power of racing-quality gasoline engines, operation on JP-8 and other heavy fuels, as well as the other desirable qualities mentioned above. D-STAR Engineering has recently developed a prototype for a 1 kW man-portable heavy-fuel hybrid power system, that has been successfully tested by the ONR / USMC, and has demonstrated the power core for a 2 kW hybrid power system (for Army TARDEC). D-STAR is also developing, based on funding from the Army, a 500 Watt hybrid power system, and has designs for hybrid heavy fuel power systems and APUs for 10 and
Dev, S. Paul
ABSTRACT Knowing the soil’s strength properties is a vital component to accurately develop Go/No-Go mobility maps for the Next Generation NATO Reference Mobility Model (NG-NRMM). The Unified Soil Classification System (USCS) and soil strength of the top 0-6” and 6-12” of the soil are essential terrain inputs for the model. Current methods for the NG-NRMM require in-situ measurement of soil strength using a bevameter, cone penetrometer, or other mechanical contact device. This study examines the use of hyperspectral and thermal imagery to provide ways of remotely characterizing soil type and strength. Hyperspectral imaging provides unique spectrums for each soil where a Soil Classification Index (SCI) was developed to predict the gradation of the soil types. This gradation provides a means of identifying the soil type via the major divisions within the USCS classification system. Thermal imagery is utilized to collect the Apparent Thermal Inertia (ATI) for each pit, which is then
Ewing, JordanOommen, ThomasJayakumar, ParamsothyAlger, Russell
ABSTRACT The normal reaction force in the tire-soil patch is a continuously changing wheel parameter. When a vehicle moves over uneven ground, motion in the vehicle’s sprung and unsprung masses produce dynamic shifts in the magnitude of the load transmitted to the ground. With the damping force controlled for better ride quality, tight constraining of the sprung mass motion may lead to significant dynamic changes of the normal load. At excessive loads, the wheel can dig into the soil. Considerably reduced loads can negatively impact vehicle steerability and diminish traction performance. The purpose of this paper is to develop a method that allows for establishing boundaries of the dynamic normal reaction in the tire-soil patch on uneven terrain. The boundary constraints are considered for both maximum and minimum values to establish conditions for mobility and steerability. Using differential equations describing the motion two masses of a single-wheel module representing a vehicle
Paldan, JesseVantsevich, VladimirGorsich, DavidGoryca, JillSingh, AmandeepMoradi, Lee
ABSTRACT Development and assessment of autonomous vehicle capability are relying on simulation software for time and cost efficiency. The value of such simulations are significantly dependent on minimizing the gap from simulation to real environment performance of systems. The simulations for off-road autonomous vehicle assessment are in particular challenging due to the complex nature of natural terrains and their virtual representations, vehicle-terrain interactions during soft soil maneuvering, and the integration of sensors and their output in virtual generated terrains. This paper presents the early development of a software tool aimed at simulating custom autonomous off-road scenarios generated from their real world counterparts. The effort is an important step in generating confidence in simulation based testing of autonomous systems as a forerunner for purely virtual generated scenarios for autonomous systems evaluation. Citation: M.R. Jeppesen, S.A. Madsen, O. Balling
Jeppesen, Mads R.Madsen, Sigurd A.Balling, Ole
ABSTRACT Current modeling and simulation capabilities permit tackling complex multi-physics problems, such as those encountered in ground vehicle mobility studies, using high-fidelity physics-based models for all involved subsystems, including the vehicle, tires, and deformable terrain. However, these come at significant computational burden; research and development on new software architecture and parallelization techniques is crucial in enabling such predictive simulation capabilities to be useful in design of new vehicles or in operational settings. In this paper, we describe the architecture, philosophy, and implementation of a distributed message-passing-based granular terrain simulation capability and its incorporation into an explicit force–displacement co-simulation framework to enable effective simulation of multi-physics mobility problems. We demonstrate that the proposed infrastructure has good parallel scaling characteristics and can thus effectively leverage available
Serban, RaduOlsen, NicholasNegrut, Dan
ABSTRACT This paper presents a Gaussian process model of terrain slope for use in a GPS-free localization algorithm for ground robots operating in unstructured terrain. A wheeled skid-steer robot is used to map the terrain slope within an operational area of interest. The slope data is sampled sparsely and used as training data for a Gaussian process model with a two-dimensional input. Three different covariance functions for the Gaussian process model are evaluated with hyperparameters selected through maximizing the log marginal likelihood. The resulting Gaussian process model is used in the measurement update function of a localization particle filter to generate expected slope values at particle positions. Preliminary localization testing shows sub-ten meter accuracy with no initial knowledge of position. However, the overall performance of the filter is highly dependent on the variability of the terrain that the robot traverses. Citation: J. Pentzer, K. Reichard, “Gaussian Process
Pentzer, JesseReichard, Karl
ABSTRACT When building simulation models of military vehicles for mobility analysis over deformable terrain, the powertrain details are often ignored. This is of interest for electric and hybrid-electric vehicles where the maximum torque is produced at low speeds. It is easy to end up with the drive wheels spinning and reducing traction and eventually the vehicle digging itself down in the soil. This paper reveals improvements to mobility results using Traction Control Systems for both wheeled and tracked vehicles. Simulations are performed on hard ground and two types of deformable soil, Lethe sand and snow. For each soft soil, simulations have been performed with a simple terramechanics model (ST) based on Bekker-Wong models and complex terramechanics (CT) using the EDEM discrete element soil model which Pratt & Miller Engineering (PME) has been instrumental in developing. To model the traction control system a PD controller is used that tries to limit the slip velocity at low speed
Slattengren, Jesper
ABSTRACT Many rollover prevention algorithms rely on vehicle models which are difficult to develop and require extensive knowledge of the vehicle. The Zero-Moment Point (ZMP) combines a simple vehicle model with IMU-only sensor measurements. When used in conjunction with haptic feedback, ground vehicle rollover can be prevented. This paper investigates IMU grade requirements for an accurate rollover prediction. This paper also discusses a haptic feedback design that delivers operator alerts to prevent rollover. An experiment was conducted using a Gazebo simulation to assess the capabilities of the ZMP method to predict vehicle wheel lift-off and demonstrate the potential for haptic communication of the ZMP index to prevent rollover. Citation: K. Steadman, C. Stubbs, A. Baskaran, C. G. Rose, D. Bevly, “Teleoperated Ground Vehicle Rollover Prevention via Haptic Feedback of the Zero-Moment Point Index,” In Proceedings of the Ground Vehicle Systems Engineering and Technology Symposium
Steadman, KathleenStubbs, ChandlerBaskaran, AvinashRose, Chad G.Bevly, David
ABSTRACT This paper presents a new terrain traversability mapping method integrated into the Robotic Technology Kernel (RTK) that produces ground slope traversability cost information from LiDAR height maps. These ground slope maps are robust to a variety of off-road scenarios including areas of sparse or dense vegetation. A few simple and computationally efficient heuristics are applied to the ground slope maps to produce cost data that can be directly consumed by existing path planners in RTK, improving the navigation performance in the presence of steep terrain. Citation: J. Ramsey, R. Brothers, J. Hernandez, “Creation of a Ground Slope Mapping Methodology Within the Robotic Technology Kernel for Improved Navigation Performance,” In Proceedings of the Ground Vehicle Systems Engineering and Technology Symposium (GVSETS), NDIA, Novi, MI, Aug. 16-18, 2022
Ramsey, JacksonBrothers, RobertHernandez, Joseph
ABSTRACT As part of the campaign to increase readiness in northern regions, a near commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) solution was identified for the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV); and used to assess the suitability of commercially available winter tires for operational deployment. Initial performance evaluations conducted during the winters of 2020 and 2021 demonstrated and quantified significant improvements to traction and handling on a variety of winter surfaces. User feedback from United States Army Alaska (USARAK) Soldiers confirmed these results in an operational environment. Results of this study provide new winter tire specifications for the Army and justify the procurement of a HMMWV winter tire for improved safety and capability for US Soldier and vehicle fleet needs. The data and Soldier evaluations support attaining a National Stock Number (NSN) and provide data to develop models of winter vehicle performance that include the impact of winter tires and
Shoop, SallyWitte, CliffordKarwaczynski, SebastianEllis, CliftonMatthews, EoghanBishel, StevenBomier, BarryMcCullough, RonaldParker, MichaelMartin, ScottKamprath, NathanWelling, OrianElder, Bruce
ABSTRACT Two notional path-clearing tracked-vehicle models are part of this exploration in assessing the capabilities and limitations of the state-of-the-art in tracked vehicle dynamics modeling and simulation over soft-soil terrain. Each vehicle utilized different path-clearing methods that presented challenges in modeling their interactions with the soil: one vehicle used a roller and rake combination. The roller pressured the soft soil while the rake sheared it. The other vehicle used a quickly rotating flail system that cleared a definitive path by impacting and flinging the soil away. One vehicle had a band track and the other had a segmented track introducing additional modeling challenges. Each of these design choices was independently varied and analyzed. Path clearing performances and design sensitivities to track properties were studied in addition to the effect of contact forces between track, road wheels, idler, and sprocket. Vehicle performance on differing soil types is
Raymond, Joseph BJayakumar, Paramsothy
ABSTRACT Off-road autonomy development is increasingly leveraging simulation for its ability to rapidly test and train new algorithms as well as simulate a wide variety of terrains and environmental conditions. Unstructured off-road environments require modeling complex environmental phenomena, such as LIDAR responses from vegetation. Neya has developed an approach to characterize the variability of measurements of vegetation and approximate the variability of vegetation measurements using that characterization. This method adds a small overhead to existing LIDAR models, works with many types of LIDAR sensor models, and simply requires objects to be tagged in the environment as vegetation for the sensor models to respond appropriately. Citation: R. Mattes, J. Pace, “Fast LIDAR Vegetation Response Modeling in Simulation”, In Proceedings of the Ground Vehicle Systems Engineering and Technology Symposium (GVSETS), NDIA, Novi, MI, Aug. 10-12, 2021
Mattes, RichPace, James
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