Evaluation of link-track performances using DEM Z. Asaf * , D. Rubinstein, I. Shmulevich Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Agricultural Engineering, Haifa, 32000, Israel Available online 8 December 2004 Abstract A two-dimensional discrete-element model for the interaction between link-track and soil is presented. The model was developed using commercial PFC2D code. Two different particles, sphere and clump of two spheres, were used to represent the soil. The soil parameters of the model were determined using Hertzian contact theory. Based on the model and soil parameters, simulations of biaxial tests and calculations of the internal angle of friction and cohesion were preformed. The simulation results showed that the internal angle of friction should not exceed the value of 0.65 when using the spherical particles. Based on the clumped particles model, simulations of shear tests with two grouser plates (lengths 100 and 150 mm) were performed under different soil conditions, normal pressures, and cleat heights. A curve fitting of the sim- ulation results was performed using three semi-empirical models from Bekker, Janosi, and Wong for representing the shear stress–displacement relationship. The best fitting was achieved using WongÕs approach. The simulation results of the cleat effects were compared with BekkerÕs grouser approach and McKyesÕs formulation for soil–blade interaction. In most of the cases, the results of BekkerÕs model were the lower bound and McKyesÕs model, the upper bound of the DEM simulation results. The properties of the soil model for the DEM were determined using simulation results of shear tests by grouser plate. In the range investigated, the size of the shearing grouser plate is not significant in determining the soil model properties. Ó 2004 ISTVS. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: DEM; Soil; Link-track; Grouser; Cleat; Shear stress; Shear displacement; Soil–track interac- tion; Off-road 0022-4898/$20.00 Ó 2004 ISTVS. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.jterra.2004.10.004 * Corresponding author. Tel.: +972 4 8292673; fax: +972 4 8295659. E-mail address: agasaf@tx.technion.ac.il (Z. Asaf). Journal of Terramechanics 43 (2006) 141–161 www.elsevier.com/locate/jterra Journal of Terramechanics