Ground pressure is a significant parameter for the mobility, tractive performance, and soil compaction. In this study, an analytical model for predicting ground pressure distribution under a rigid-flexible tracked vehicle on soft ground was developed. The model considered the primary design parameters of the tracked vehicle, soil characteristics, and soil shear. The ground pressure was not uniform, and its maximum values under the roadwheels were 90.20, 103.57, and 150.14 kPa. The ground pressure was inversely proportional to the ratio of the lengths of the flexible track and rigid grouser. An experiment was conducted to verify the analytical model. The maximum error between the measured and simulated results was smaller than 8%, thereby verifying the analytical model.

Rubber-tracked transporters are becoming increasingly popular in agriculture, forestry and military transportation. Rubber track systems are typically fitted instead of using tyres on the transporter to decrease soil stress and increase trafficability. Therefore, the accurate failure analysis of a rubber track is important. A model for predicting stress distribution along a rubber track is presented in this study. In the model, the stress along a rubber track consists of the vertical stress below the rubber track, tensile stress, bending stress and centrifugal tensile stress. Moreover, fourth strength theory was used to change a complicated stress state to a simple stress state. An experiment was performed at the test site of Harbin First Machinery Building Group Ltd, with a total weight of 61.789 kN. The experiment was conducted to verify and approve the theoretical model. The Miner rule was used to predict the cycle index and working hour of the rubber track, thereby providing a method for predicting the fatigue life of a rubber track.