Parameter study of chain trenching machines of Underwater Construction Robots via analytical model

Analytical model by considering the kinematics, dynamics, and energetics of the trenching machine is adopted and proposed to design an underwater chain trenching machine at UCRC-KIOST. In this paper, parameter study and sensitivity analysis is conducted to show how the variations of operational and geometric parameters, as well as cutting tools and material condition affect the forces, moment, weight, and power components. The study sheds some important insights about how the trenching machine behaves and thus the information from this study can be used to design a trenching machine for the required working condition. The parameter study shows that minimum weight requirement for self-propelled vehicle is increased during operation at steep bar angle, and to keep the traction of the vehicle getting worst, it is recommended to cut the trench at low bar angle and make sure the cutting tool is still sharp. The results also show that traverse speed, cutting depth, uniaxial compressive strength, and trench width are the most sensitive parameters affecting the power and angular speed. On the other hand, weight of the vehicle, nose radius, bar length, and pivot point location does not affect the total chain power at all.