Rational Equipment Selection Method Based on Soil Conditions
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 123, Issue 1
Abstract
This paper presents a rational approach for evaluating a tractor dozer's capability to excavate a given soil type. A number of empirical charts exist for equipment selection, and a complex formulation based on soil mechanics theory can be applied to predict dislodgement forces. However, there is no current method to compute dislodgement forces based on soil properties and uses the results as a basis for equipment selection. This paper proposes a simplified model based on Coulomb lateral earth pressure theory to predict dislodgement forces for a dozer blade geometry. The results from the simplified model analyses are verified using the more complex existing theory. Based on the results, a set of practical decision charts are developed that can be used by the practitioner to estimate the tractor dozer's ability to excavate various types of soils. I provide an example of how the charts are used to select equipment given a set of natural soil conditions. The methodology proposed, if verified in field tests, could be used to develop a comprehensive series of charts for various equipment models and soil types.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
1.
Caterpillar performance handbook, 26th Ed. (1995). Caterpillar, Inc., Peoria, Ill.
2.
Church, H. (1980). Excavation handbook. McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., New York, N.Y.
3.
Das, B. M. (1995). Principles of foundation engineering. PWS/KENT Publishing Co., Boston, Mass.
4.
Day, D. A., and Benjamin, N. B. H. (1991). Construction equipment guide, 2nd Ed., John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, N.Y.
5.
Handbook of ripping, 7th Ed. (1983). Caterpillar, Inc., Peoria, Ill.
6.
Hettiaratchi, D. R. P., and Reece, A. R.(1974). “The calculation of passive soil resistance.”Geotechnique, London, England, 24(3), 289–310.
7.
Hettiaratchi, D. R. P., and Reece, A. R.(1975). “Boundary wedges in two-dimensional passive soil failure.”Geotechnique, London, England, 25(2), 197–220.
8.
Reece, A. R.(1984). “A rational approach to the design of earth-moving machines.”J. Terramechanics, 21(1), 69–79.
9.
Zelenin, A. N., Balovnev, V. I., and Kerov, I. P. (1986). Machines for moving the earth, C. B. Malvadkar, translator, Dept. of Agric., Washington, D.C.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 123 • Issue 1 • March 1997
Pages: 85 - 88
Copyright
Copyright © 1997 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: Mar 1, 1997
Published in print: Mar 1997
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.