{"id":{"repo_id":"vt","oai_identifier":"oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/135437"},"canonical_url":"https://search.dev.ndltd.org/etd/vt/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/135437","repository":{"repo_id":"vt","name":"Virginia Tech","base_url":"https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request"},"display":{"title":"Laboratory and Numerical Investigation for the Mobility of Ground Vehicles on Soft Clay","abstract":"The mobility of ground vehicles on soft, fine-grained soils is hindered by low traction and reduced load-bearing capacity, posing significant challenges for heavy-duty vehicles, such as military transport and construction equipment. Enhancing vehicle stability on these terrains is essential for improving operational efficiency. To enhance the understanding of vehicle mobility on weak soils, this research integrates experimental geotechnical testing and numerical modeling to investigate clay-tire interface behavior and evaluate the effectiveness of fiberglass matting systems in improving soil performance, respectively. The laboratory investigation of the clay-tire interface by performing direct shear tests is a part of a bigger project aimed at enhancing the mobility of off-road vehicles on wet deformable soils. The findings from these experiments will be utilized to calibrate and validate the material constitutive models necessary for developing a predictive numerical model for vehicle mobility. In parallel, in a second project, a physics-based numerical model is developed to simulate the performance of fiberglass mats over soft soils under the effect of repeated heavy traffic. The model incorporates cyclic loading conditions to mimic, in a simplified manner, multi-pass rolling tire loads. This numerical model will contribute to the understanding of the effectiveness of fiberglass mats in enhancing vehicle mobility and stability under heavy traffic loads.","abstract_html":"The mobility of ground vehicles on soft, fine-grained soils is hindered by low traction and reduced load-bearing capacity, posing significant challenges for heavy-duty vehicles, such as military transport and construction equipment. Enhancing vehicle stability on these terrains is essential for improving operational efficiency. To enhance the understanding of vehicle mobility on weak soils, this research integrates experimental geotechnical testing and numerical modeling to investigate clay-tire interface behavior and evaluate the effectiveness of fiberglass matting systems in improving soil performance, respectively. The laboratory investigation of the clay-tire interface by performing direct shear tests is a part of a bigger project aimed at enhancing the mobility of off-road vehicles on wet deformable soils. The findings from these experiments will be utilized to calibrate and validate the material constitutive models necessary for developing a predictive numerical model for vehicle mobility. In parallel, in a second project, a physics-based numerical model is developed to simulate the performance of fiberglass mats over soft soils under the effect of repeated heavy traffic. The model incorporates cyclic loading conditions to mimic, in a simplified manner, multi-pass rolling tire loads. This numerical model will contribute to the understanding of the effectiveness of fiberglass mats in enhancing vehicle mobility and stability under heavy traffic loads.","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Bheora, Jasleen Kaur"],"institution":"Virginia Tech","degree_name":"Master of Science","degree_level":"masters","degree_discipline":"Civil Engineering","degree_department":"Civil and Environmental Engineering","school":null,"contributors":[],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":["Yerro Colom, Alba"],"committee_members":["Castellanos, Bernardo Antonio","Sandu, Corina","Hosseini, Reihaneh"],"year":2025,"date_issued":"2025-06-09","date_published":"2025-06-09","updated_at":"2026-07-22T22:19:13Z","subjects":["Terramechanics","Direct Shear Tests","Fiberglass Mat","Constitutive Model"],"languages":["en"],"rights":["In Copyright"],"rights_urls":["http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/"],"identifier_entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier.other","label":"Dc Identifier Other","values":["vt_gsexam:43936"],"render_values":[{"text":"vt_gsexam:43936","href":null,"code":true}]}]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://hdl.handle.net/10919/135437","outbound_label":"Handle","outbound_source":"dc:identifier.uri"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor.committeechair","label":"Committee Chair","values":["Yerro Colom, Alba"]},{"key":"dc:contributor.committeemember","label":"Committee Member","values":["Castellanos, Bernardo Antonio","Sandu, Corina","Hosseini, Reihaneh"]},{"key":"dc:contributor.department","label":"Department","values":["Civil and Environmental Engineering"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Bheora, Jasleen Kaur"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date.accessioned","label":"Dc Date Accessioned","values":["2025-06-10T08:02:36Z"]},{"key":"dc:date.available","label":"Dc Date Available","values":["2025-06-10T08:02:36Z"]},{"key":"dc:date.issued","label":"Date","values":["2025-06-09"]},{"key":"dc:publisher","label":"Institution","values":["Virginia Tech"]},{"key":"dc:type","label":"Dc Type","values":["Thesis"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["Civil Engineering"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["masters"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["Master of Science"]},{"key":"thesis:institution_name","label":"Thesis Institution Name","values":["Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["Terramechanics","Direct Shear Tests","Fiberglass Mat","Constitutive Model"]}]},{"id":"language_rights","label":"Language and Rights","entries":[{"key":"dc:language.iso","label":"Language (ISO)","values":["en"]},{"key":"dc:rights","label":"Dc Rights","values":["In Copyright"]},{"key":"dc:rights.uri","label":"Rights URI","values":["http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier.other","label":"Dc Identifier Other","values":["vt_gsexam:43936"]},{"key":"dc:identifier.uri","label":"Identifier URI","values":["https://hdl.handle.net/10919/135437"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["The mobility of ground vehicles on soft, fine-grained soils is hindered by low traction and reduced load-bearing capacity, posing significant challenges for heavy-duty vehicles, such as military transport and construction equipment. Enhancing vehicle stability on these terrains is essential for improving operational efficiency. To enhance the understanding of vehicle mobility on weak soils, this research integrates experimental geotechnical testing and numerical modeling to investigate clay-tire interface behavior and evaluate the effectiveness of fiberglass matting systems in improving soil performance, respectively. The laboratory investigation of the clay-tire interface by performing direct shear tests is a part of a bigger project aimed at enhancing the mobility of off-road vehicles on wet deformable soils. The findings from these experiments will be utilized to calibrate and validate the material constitutive models necessary for developing a predictive numerical model for vehicle mobility. In parallel, in a second project, a physics-based numerical model is developed to simulate the performance of fiberglass mats over soft soils under the effect of repeated heavy traffic. The model incorporates cyclic loading conditions to mimic, in a simplified manner, multi-pass rolling tire loads. This numerical model will contribute to the understanding of the effectiveness of fiberglass mats in enhancing vehicle mobility and stability under heavy traffic loads."]},{"key":"dc:description.abstractgeneral","label":"General Abstract","values":["Driving heavy vehicles like military transport or construction equipment over soft, fine-grained soils can be a major challenge because the soil lacks the traction needed to support the weight of the vehicles. This research looks at ways to improve vehicle mobility on these tough terrains by studying tire interaction with clay and evaluating how the behavior of fiberglass mats can help improve soil performance. First, laboratory tests are conducted to understand the clay-tire interface, which is a key part of a larger project focused on improving off-road vehicle mobility in wet, soft soils. The results of these tests will help calibrate and validate the numerical models to predict vehicle mobility across these surfaces, making it easier to plan vehicle operations. Second, a numerical model is developed to better understand the behavior of fiberglass mats on soft soils. These mats are designed to improve traction and stability for heavy vehicles in military operations. This research will contribute to optimizing the mobility of heavy vehicles on soft soils and challenging environments, including the use of mats in urgent operations."]},{"key":"dc:description.degree","label":"Dc Description Degree","values":["Master of Science"]},{"key":"dc:format.medium","label":"Dc Format Medium","values":["ETD"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["Laboratory and Numerical Investigation for the Mobility of Ground Vehicles on Soft Clay"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor.committeechair":["Yerro Colom, Alba"],"dc:contributor.committeemember":["Castellanos, Bernardo Antonio","Sandu, Corina","Hosseini, Reihaneh"],"dc:contributor.department":["Civil and Environmental Engineering"],"dc:creator":["Bheora, Jasleen Kaur"],"dc:date.accessioned":["2025-06-10T08:02:36Z"],"dc:date.available":["2025-06-10T08:02:36Z"],"dc:date.issued":["2025-06-09"],"dc:description.abstract":["The mobility of ground vehicles on soft, fine-grained soils is hindered by low traction and reduced load-bearing capacity, posing significant challenges for heavy-duty vehicles, such as military transport and construction equipment. Enhancing vehicle stability on these terrains is essential for improving operational efficiency. To enhance the understanding of vehicle mobility on weak soils, this research integrates experimental geotechnical testing and numerical modeling to investigate clay-tire interface behavior and evaluate the effectiveness of fiberglass matting systems in improving soil performance, respectively. The laboratory investigation of the clay-tire interface by performing direct shear tests is a part of a bigger project aimed at enhancing the mobility of off-road vehicles on wet deformable soils. The findings from these experiments will be utilized to calibrate and validate the material constitutive models necessary for developing a predictive numerical model for vehicle mobility. In parallel, in a second project, a physics-based numerical model is developed to simulate the performance of fiberglass mats over soft soils under the effect of repeated heavy traffic. The model incorporates cyclic loading conditions to mimic, in a simplified manner, multi-pass rolling tire loads. This numerical model will contribute to the understanding of the effectiveness of fiberglass mats in enhancing vehicle mobility and stability under heavy traffic loads."],"dc:description.abstractgeneral":["Driving heavy vehicles like military transport or construction equipment over soft, fine-grained soils can be a major challenge because the soil lacks the traction needed to support the weight of the vehicles. This research looks at ways to improve vehicle mobility on these tough terrains by studying tire interaction with clay and evaluating how the behavior of fiberglass mats can help improve soil performance. First, laboratory tests are conducted to understand the clay-tire interface, which is a key part of a larger project focused on improving off-road vehicle mobility in wet, soft soils. The results of these tests will help calibrate and validate the numerical models to predict vehicle mobility across these surfaces, making it easier to plan vehicle operations. Second, a numerical model is developed to better understand the behavior of fiberglass mats on soft soils. These mats are designed to improve traction and stability for heavy vehicles in military operations. This research will contribute to optimizing the mobility of heavy vehicles on soft soils and challenging environments, including the use of mats in urgent operations."],"dc:description.degree":["Master of Science"],"dc:format.medium":["ETD"],"dc:identifier.other":["vt_gsexam:43936"],"dc:identifier.uri":["https://hdl.handle.net/10919/135437"],"dc:language.iso":["en"],"dc:publisher":["Virginia Tech"],"dc:rights":["In Copyright"],"dc:rights.uri":["http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/"],"dc:subject":["Terramechanics","Direct Shear Tests","Fiberglass Mat","Constitutive Model"],"dc:title":["Laboratory and Numerical Investigation for the Mobility of Ground Vehicles on Soft Clay"],"dc:type":["Thesis"],"thesis:degree_discipline":["Civil Engineering"],"thesis:degree_level":["masters"],"thesis:degree_name":["Master of Science"],"thesis:institution_name":["Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-22T22:19:13Z"}