Rail Impact and Tiedown Tests of the M373A2 Electronic Van Semitrailer.

摘要

The U.S. Army Defense Ammunition Center and School was tasked by U.S. Army Tank-Automotive Command (TACOM) to rail impact test the M373A2 Electronic Van Semitrailer. In addition to rail impact testing, the six tiedown and four slinging provisions were tested with the loading requirements of MIL-STD-209G, Slinging and Tiedown Provisions for Lifting and Tying Down Military Equipment. The railcar tiedown procedure was supplied by TACOM. Rail impacts occurred at 4, 6, 8, and 8 reverse miles per hour (mph). Damage occurred to one of the forward tiedown fittings next to the king pin. As a result of this failure, the tiedown procedure was changed to omit this tiedown point and retested on 19 September 1989. As a result of this test, no damage occurred to the tiedown fittings. One-half-inch tiedown cables or flatcar pockets were used in securing the tiedown cables. The tiedown procedure required the use of axle stands. The M373A2 Electronic Van Semitrailer has four slinging provisions. Five of the slinging points were loaded vertically upward to 18,500 pounds. The load was applied for a period of not less than 90 seconds. All tested provisions remained intact. Tiedown provisions pull tests consisted of applying a forward and aft tension of 14,000 pounds and a downward pull of 7,140 pounds. Each load was applied for a minimum of 9 seconds. The M373A2 Electronic Van Semitrailer passed the rail impact and the pull tests of the tiedown and slinging provisions. An exception was taken to the style of tiedown and slinging provisions in that they do not follow the guidelines of MIL-STD-209G.