Evaluation of the human-structure-soil interaction on a two-wheel tractor using modal analysis techniques

This work considers the experimental evaluation on a two-wheel tractor, employed for small agricultural practices, to characterize the human-structure-soil interaction under typical activities into small greenhouses (e.g., tillage). First, the two-wheel tractor is evaluated to get its modal parameters and, then, the machine is tested for endogenous excitation due to different engine speeds and for several working scenarios (operational modal analysis). In particular, the modal testing is focused on the human-structure-soil interaction to verify how the vibrations and noise affect to the human operator and, thus, propose passive solutions to reduce adverse effects caused on humans via passive damping injection and/or proper structural modifications. The results are used to evaluate the overall dynamic performance in a system-theoretic approach for decision-making during the design and evaluation of this machinery.