Initial Design and Stress Analysis of a Composite (FRP) Roadwheel for the M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank

摘要

A Composite roadwheel for the US Army M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank has been designed for volume production. The composite roadwheel uses an E-glass/epoxy advanced composite material, produced by wet filament-winding followed by compression molding at a high temperature to compact and cure the matrix. Aluminum inserts are used to resist corrosion and creep at the bolted interfaces between the component and the vehicle. Stress analysis using NASTRAN finite-element computer models, combined with validation tests on an aluminum roadwheel, have been used to establish the strength of the existing aluminum wheel, and to evolve a composite wheel of comparable strength.