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Numerical simulation of parachute Fluid-Structure Interaction in terminal descent

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Abstract

A numerical simulation method for parachute Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) problem using Semi-Implicit Method for Pressure-Linked Equations (SIMPLE) algorithm is proposed. This method could be used in both coupling computation of parachute FSI and flow field analysis. Both flat circular parachute and conical parachute are modeled and simulated by this new method. Flow field characteristics at various angles of attack are further simulated for the conical parachute model. Comparison with the space-time FSI technique shows that this method also provides similar and reasonable results.

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Abbreviations

α :

angle of attack

ρ :

air density

V :

velocity

V ∞ :

velocity at the inflow boundary

Γ ϕ :

generalized diffusion coefficient

S ϕ :

generalized source term

p :

static pressure

p ∞ :

pressure at the inflow boundary

µ:

molecular viscosity coefficient

µ e :

equivalent viscosity coefficient

C p :

pressure coefficient

ΔC p :

the pressure coefficient difference between the inner and outer canopy

K :

turbulent fluctuation kinetic energy

ɛ :

turbulent energy dissipation rate

Re :

Reynolds number

φ :

an angle between the canopy axis and the normal line of meridian

ψ :

apex angle of conical parachute

ω :

the half angle between two contiguous planes E

ν, β, θ :

angles (see Figure 5)

R f *:

dimensionless length of apex point of the cord line to the point on itself in unstretched gore state

σ * m , σ * u :

dimensionless stress in canopy fabric in the longitudinal and latitudinal direction

k :

shrink factor of canopy material

r*:

dimensionless bulge radius of the canopy

T*:

dimensionless force in cord line

x * f , z * f :

dimensionless x and z coordinates of cord line in cylindrical coordinates

E b , E f :

dimensionless elasticity modulus of canopy fabric and cord line

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Aeronautical Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, China

    YiHua Cao, Kan Wan & QianFu Song

  2. Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia

    John Sheridan

Authors
  1. YiHua Cao
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  2. Kan Wan
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  3. QianFu Song
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  4. John Sheridan
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Correspondence to YiHua Cao.

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Cao, Y., Wan, K., Song, Q. et al. Numerical simulation of parachute Fluid-Structure Interaction in terminal descent. Sci. China Technol. Sci. 55, 3131–3141 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11431-012-4998-z

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