Theses and Dissertations

ORCID

https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0722-0027

Advisor

Jelinek, Bohumir

Committee Member

Stone, Tonya W.

Committee Member

Priddy, Matthew W.

Date of Degree

12-12-2025

Original embargo terms

Immediate Worldwide Access

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Mechanical Engineering

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

James Worth Bagley College of Engineering

Department

Michael W. Hall School of Mechanical Engineering

Abstract

Accurately predicting vehicle mobility in granular media is essential for evaluating off-road mobility in agriculture, defense, and planetary exploration. Traditional empirical models often fail in capturing complex micromechanics of soil deformation, especially under dynamic conditions such as high slips and maneuvering. This study demonstrates the value of the discrete element method (DEM) in modeling wheel-soil interactions with higher fidelity. Using Altair EDEM and pre-calibrated GEMM materials, simulations were conducted for a range of forward (-5.9% to 54.8%) and side slip angles (3°, 6°, 12°) in dry sand. DEM enabled detailed analysis of sinkage, traction forces, and lateral loads, revealing trends consistent with experimental data. By illustrating DEM’s strengths and limitations in capturing tire-soil interactions, this work aims to support its use as a powerful tool for advancing vehicle design and simulation.

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