Experimental and DEM analyses on wheel-soil interaction. (April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jiang, Mingjing; Dai, Yongsheng; Cui, Liang; Xi, Banglu
• Is Part Of: Journal of terramechanics. Volume 76(2018)
• Page Start: 15
• Page End: 28
• Publication Date: 2018-04
• Subjects: Wheel-soil interaction system -- TJ-1 lunar soil simulant -- Contact model -- DEM simulation -- Tractive efficiency; Trafficability -- Periodicals; Praticabilité (Routes) -- Périodiques; Trafficability; Periodicals; 629.222
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jterra.2017.12.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-4898

Abstract

Highlights: The relation between track length and slip ratio is validated. The traction efficiency is studied when changing driving condition and wheel form. The DEM model could qualitatively predict the evolution of traction efficiency. The traction efficiency shows a higher value in extraterrestrial environment. Abstract: In this paper, the wheel-soil interaction for a future lunar exploration mission is investigated by physical model tests and numerical simulations. Firstly, a series of physical model tests was conducted using the TJ-1 lunar soil simulant with various driving conditions, wheel configurations and ground void ratios. Then the corresponding numerical simulations were performed in a terrestrial environment using the Distinct Element Method (DEM) with a new contact model for lunar soil, where the rolling resistance and van der Waals force were implemented. In addition, DEM simulations in an extraterrestrial (lunar) environment were performed. The results indicate that tractive efficiency does not depend on wheel rotational velocity, but decreases with increasing extra vertical load on the wheel and ground void ratio. Rover performance improves when wheels are equipped with lugs. The DEM simulations in terrestrial environment can qualitatively reproduce the soil deformation pattern as observed in the physical model tests. The variations of traction efficiency against the driving condition, wheel configuration and ground void ratio attained in the DEM simulations match the experimental observations qualitatively. Moreover, the wheel track is found to be less evident and the tractive efficiency is higher in the extraterrestrial environment compared to the performance on Earth.