A numerical study of parachute inflation based on a mixed method

Abstract

ἀ e C9 parachute was the research object in this work and was studied by using a fluid-structure interaction method and CFD method. An arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian method, a kind of fluid-structure interaction method, was used to simulate the inflation process. ἀ e dynamic relationship between canopy shape and flow field was obtained. ἀ e canopy shape in a stable phase was exported and was transformed into the porous media domain. ἀ en the flow around the canopy shape was simulated by the CFD method we used based on the k-ε turbulence model. ἀ e experiments verified the accuracy of structural change and the feasibility of the porous media model. ἀ e arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian method not only can obtain the dynamic results of structure and flow field but also can provide a more accurate bluff body for further CFD analysis. ἀ e CFD method based on porous media and the turbulence model can obtain more detailed and accurate flow field results, which can be used as a complement to fluid-structure interaction analysis. ἀi s mixed method can improve the accuracy of analysis and be useful for other permeable fabric research.

First published online: 24 Dec 2012

Keyword : aerodynamic decelerator system, inflation process, fluid-structure interaction, porous media, parachute