Transient Dynamic Modeling and Analysis of Complex Parachute Inflation with Fixed Payload

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Transient Dynamic Modeling and Analysis of Complex Parachute Inflation with Fixed Payload

Zhang, Qingbin

AbstractThe inflation process of a special parachute with slots and a fixed payload is investigated using a multimaterial arbitrary Lagrangian-Euler–coupled numerical approach, which considers fluid-structure interaction within the LS-DYNA nonlinear analysis code. The transient dynamic solver is set up using a Lagrangian-Euler penalty method, and a numerical simulation of the slot parachute design that considers permeability is performed. The inflation characteristics of a slot parachute at different initial velocities are analyzed. The three-dimensional simulation results for the inflation are validated by comparing with the airdrop test results. Finally, the incompressible fluid dynamics and the evolution of vortexes during the opening process are analyzed. The results demonstrate the following. This slot parachute can rapidly attain a steady state after fully inflating without any obvious canopy breathing. The stress distribution near the slots is obviously higher than the average level across the canopy surface. A symmetrically counterrotated vortex couple appears at the top of the parachute, which then extrudes to asymmetry until the couple separates and is brushed off by the airflow.