Published on: 2026-08-26
Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering –
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At the Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering, a research project dedicated to assessing the mobility of evacuation road trains in flood zones has been completed. The study was conducted by a team of university scientists, including a Doctor of Technical Sciences and a professor of the Department of Ground Transport and Technological Machines Viktor Dobromirov, Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Forensic Examinations Elizaveta Magdina and a postgraduate student of the Faculty of Automobile and Road Engineering Alexey Kozhukhovsky. It is aimed at improving the efficiency of emergency rescue operations during floods — from justifying rational modes of vehicle movement to forecasting its passability in complex water-soil conditions. The work was carried out within the framework of grant support from SPbGASU.
At the first stage, factors limiting the mobility of evacuation trains were analyzed: low bearing capacity of the bottom soil, hydrodynamic frontal and lateral water pressure, and reduced traction properties of the movers due to buoyancy force. A review of existing studies showed the absence of methods that provide a comprehensive consideration of these factors, which justified the relevance of the work. The goal was to develop a scientific system for assessing the mobility of evacuation trains, with tasks including the creation of mathematical models, simulation modeling, and calculated assessment of traction capabilities.
A mathematical model of the movement of an evacuation train in a water-soil environment has been developed, including the determination of normal reactions of the supporting base, buoyancy force, hydrodynamic resistances (frontal and lateral), as well as a system of criteria for assessing mobility based on calculation results. The model allows for quantitatively describing the interaction of the composite system “tractor – evacuation fund” with a deformable bottom and water flow.
Within the framework of simulation computer modeling, the volumetric displacement of machines and the coefficients of frontal and lateral hydrodynamic resistance were determined depending on the depth of immersion and speed of movement. Additionally, a theoretical study of the interaction between the wheel propulsion system and deformable bottom soil was conducted – a model of the rolling of a deformable wheel on a soft foundation was developed, and rolling resistance for the tractor and evacuation vehicle was calculated.
The estimated assessment was carried out using the example of an 8×8 wheel evacuation tractor and a KAMAZ 6×4 dump truck for three scenarios: movement in standing water over a solid silty bottom, movement with lateral flow pressure over a solid and deformable bottom. For each case, rational modes (speed, allowable immersion depth, loading) were determined to ensure maximum mobility and stability.
Based on the study results, recommendations for practical application have been formulated – the proposed methodology allows forecasting the passability of evacuation trains depending on flooding parameters, justifying the operational limit conditions, and enhancing the safety of evacuation operations. The results are ready for implementation in the activities of emergency rescue units and specialized organizations.
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