Dynamic analysis of towing operation with military tracked recovery vehicle

The present work is focused upon development of multi-body dynamic (MBD) models of a military tracked recovery and towed vehicles in Adams Tracked Vehicle (ATV) toolkit, and carrying out the dynamic analysis of towing operation with the vehicles. Towing is one of the important recovery operations for the military recovery vehicle, which is generally carried out on plain terrain conditions. However, it is also desired to tow another vehicle of similar weight class over certain gradients as well. In this regard, it is required to assess the structural rigidity of the tow bar assembly, while negotiating the gradients. The finite element models of the tow bars have been developed in Abaqus/CAE, from which the modal information is extracted. The finite element models of the tow bars have been integrated with the MBD model of the recovery and towed vehicles in ATV through Adams/Flex. The dynamic analyses of towing operation with the existing tow bar assembly, have been carried out over different gradients, based on which required design modifications have been proposed to minimize the relative angular motion between the tow bars while descending the gradient. With an objective of further weight reduction and enhanced gradient climbing capability, suitable recommendations have further been provided to modify the tow bar assembly design. Dynamic simulations were carried out with the modified tow bar assembly design, through which higher gradients could be negotiated with reduced tow bar assembly weight. The above dynamic analyses have provided a base platform for arriving at the standard operating procedure of carrying out the towing operation in practice. The analyses have also established a framework for future design of tow bar assemblies under the influence of a three dimensional vehicle dynamic environment.