Touran, A; Sheahan, T C and Ozcan, E (1997) Rational equipment selection method based on soil conditions. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 123(1), pp. 85-88. ISSN 0733-9364
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.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Index terms: | geometry, equipment selection, estimate, field test, practitioner, methodology |
| Subjects: | research methods, procurement capability, data collection methods, mathematical modelling, practitioner, financial and cost management |
| Topics: | Research Practice, Cost Management, Roles and Professions, Supply Chain Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here