Finite Element Modeling and Experimental Validation for Off-Road Tire Performance

Off-road vehicles often need to traverse soft soils such as clay or dirt, which can lead to immobilized vehicles. This is particularly important for military and agricultural applications, where reliable performance is crucial for mission success and high crop yields. This project aims to gain a better understanding of the interaction between lugged tires and deformable soils to improve predictive models using finite element analysis (FEA). Through simulations and physical testing, this study analyzes how various operational and design parameters influence soil deformation and vehicle mobility. The findings are foundational for advancing off-road tire modeling and improving performance in various off-road applications.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mechanical Engineering

Department dc:contributor.department

Mechanical Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Mason, Destiny

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Sandu, Corina

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Warfford, Jeffrey Thomas
• Yerro Colom, Alba

• FEA
• off-road mobility
• sensitivity analysis
• tire modeling
• traction
• physical testing

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Dc Identifier Other

vt_gsexam:43174

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/135402