DEM Simulation in Effects of the Section Structure of Smooth Rigid Wheel on Dynaminc Mechanical Behavior of Lunar Soil Simulant

The simulation system between smooth rigid wheel and lunar soil by Discrete Element Method (DEM) was established and validated. Three section structures of smooth rigid wheel, including flat, concave and convex structures were designed. The effects of these three different wheel section structures on dynamic mechanical behaviors of lunar soil simulant were simulated by PFC2D®. The simulation results indicated that the concave section structure of smooth rigid wheel has the best anti-sinkage ability, the convex section structure has the good anti-sinkage ability, and the flat section structure has the worst anti-sinkage ability.