Parachute Inflation: A Problem in Aeroelasticity

Abstract

In parachute research, canopy inflation is the least understood and most complex process to model. Unfortunately, it is during the opening process that the canopy experiences the largest deformations and loadings. The complexity of modeling the opening process stems from the coupling between the structural dynamics of the canopy, lines plus payload and the aerodynamics of the surrounding fluid medium. The addition of a computational capability to model the coupled opening behavior would greatly assist in understanding the canopy inflation process. Ongoing research at the U.S. Army Natick Research, Development and Engineering Center (Natick) focuses on this coupled problem. The solution to this problem will assist in the development of future U.S. Army airdrop systems, which include the capability of deploying at low altitudes and high speeds. This report describes research at Natick that currently involves coupling a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code to a mass spring damper (MSD) parachute structural code. The model is described and results are presented.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 1994
Accession Number
ADA284375

Entities

People

  • Keith R. Stein
  • Richard J. Benney

Organizations

  • United States Army Soldier Systems Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerodynamic Characteristics
  • Aeroelasticity
  • Altitude
  • Boundary Layer
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics
  • Computational Science
  • Computer Programs
  • Differential Equations
  • Engineering
  • Equations Of Motion
  • Fluid Dynamics
  • Low Altitude
  • Mechanical Properties
  • Parachutes
  • Pressure Distribution
  • Steady State
  • Three Dimensional

Readers

  • Aerial Delivery - Logistics and Supply Chain Management.
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)