Fluid-structure interactions of a cross parachute: Numerical simulation

Keith Stein*, Richard Benney, Tayfun Tezduyar, Jean Potvin

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

97 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The dynamics of parachutes involves complex interaction between the parachute structure and the surrounding flow field. Accurate representation of parachute systems requires treatment of the problem as a fluid-structure interaction (FSI). In this paper we present the numerical simulations we performed for the purpose of comparison to a series of cross-parachute wind tunnel experiments. The FSI model consists of a 3-D fluid dynamics (FD) solver based on the Deforming-Spatial-Domain/Stabilized Space-Time (DSD/SST) procedure, a structural dynamics (SD) solver, and a method of coupling the two solvers. These FSI simulations include the prediction of the coupled FD and SD behavior, drag histories, flow fields, structural behavior, and equilibrium geometries for the structure. Comparisons between the numerical results and the wind tunnel data are conducted for three cross-parachute models and at three different wind tunnel flow speeds.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)673-687
Number of pages15
JournalComputer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering
Volume191
Issue number6-7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2001 Dec 7
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Coupled behavior
  • Fluid-structure interactions
  • Parachute simulations
  • Space-time formulations

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Computational Mechanics
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Physics and Astronomy(all)
  • Computer Science Applications

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Fluid-structure interactions of a cross parachute: Numerical simulation'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this