Computational fluid-structure interaction model for parachute inflation

In parachute research, the canopy inflation process is the least understood and the most complex to model. Unfortunately it is during the opening process that the canopy often 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, and payload with the aerodynamics of the surrounding fluid medium. The addition of a computational capability to model the coupled opening behavior would greatly assist in the understanding of the canopy inflation process. This article describes research that involves coupling a computational fluid dynamics code to a mass spring damper parachute structural code. The axisymmetric codes are coupled with an explicit marching method. The current model is described and results for a round parachute are presented. A comparison of the numerical results to experimental data will be presented. The successful solution of these problems gives us confidence that the computational aeroelastic problem for parachute openings can be solved. This solution allows moving the parachute design process from one of cut and try to one based on experimentally verified computational tools and reduces the reliance on costly and time-consuming testing during development.