Stream exiting studies of model amphibious vehicles

River existing studies were conducted using a 1:4 scale model of the XM453 eight-wheel cargo truck and a 1:6 scale model of the M59 full tracked personnel carrier on a slope with a non-deformable surface. The experiments were designed to measure the loading parameters on a river bank as a vehicle negotiated the bank in an attempt to exit a stream from a floating position. All significant parameters (i.e. resultant loading on the slope, buoyancy effects, track or wheel contact area, vehicle trim angle and towing effort) were found to be functions of the distance along the bank from the first point of contact and the angle of inclination of the bank. The data indicate that resistance to forward motion is developed rapidly and the vehicle effeciency can be defined by non-dimensional relationships among grade resistance, normal force on the bank, vehicle ground contact area and vehicle trim angle.