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Understanding Mechanical Behavior of Lunar Soils for the Study of Vehicle Mobility

Oravec, Heather Ann
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1233521118

Abstract Details

2009, Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, Civil Engineering.
The mechanical properties of the lunar regolith are critical parameters in predicting vehicle performance on the Moon. In preparation for Man’s return to the Moon, surface exploration vehicles must be tested on terrain that represents the mechanical strength of the lunar terrain. A soil that simulates the lunar trafficability conditions must have a similar compaction and shear response underneath the wheel. This dissertation discusses the development of a new lunar soil simulant, GRC-1, and the soil-preparation method to emulate the measured compaction and shear characteristics of the Moon’s surface. A semi-empirical design approach was used incorporating particle sieve and hydrometer analyses, triaxial strength testing, cone penetrometer testing, and bevameter testing. Soil preparations were developed to match stress-strain curves resulting from in-situ lunar experiments. Additionally, results of laboratory strength tests with returned lunar soil samples and lunar soil simulants were compared to provide insight into the material’s relative strength properties. Results show that grain size distribution, specific gravity, relative density, cone index, and strength parameters of GRC-1 are similar to that of the actual lunar soil. Supplemental recommendations are provided for the use of GRC-1 in vehicle mobility testing.
Xiangwu Zeng, PhD (Advisor)
David Gurarie, PhD (Committee Member)
Robert Mullen, PhD (Committee Member)
Xiong Yu, PhD (Committee Member)
661 p.
Civil Engineering
bevameter; cone penetrometer; lunar soil simulant; shear strength; stress-strain characteristics; triaxial test

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Oravec, H. A. (2009). Understanding Mechanical Behavior of Lunar Soils for the Study of Vehicle Mobility [Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1233521118

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Oravec, Heather. Understanding Mechanical Behavior of Lunar Soils for the Study of Vehicle Mobility. 2009. Case Western Reserve University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1233521118.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Oravec, Heather. "Understanding Mechanical Behavior of Lunar Soils for the Study of Vehicle Mobility." Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University, 2009. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1233521118

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

case1233521118
4,101
© 2009, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies and OhioLINK.