Fluid-structure simulation of a 3D ram air parachute with SINPA software

Abstract

The analysis of fluid-structure interactions, ruled by complex phenomena due to unsteady flow and deformable solid, needs a full 3D numerical model coupling fluid and structure. Thus, the SINPA software has been developed to simulate parachutes behavior. The architecture of the SINPA Icomputational tool is based on several industrial products which have bken integrated in the same environment and which cover all steps of study and design from CAD to post-processing. The fluid ana structure simulations are respectively processed by two finite element codes : N3S and MECANO. The coupled calculation handles air-solid interfaces motion and deformation thanks to the ALE model of N3S. The simulation of a ram air parachute performed with SINPA is then presented. The main purpose: is to be able to predict the lift-drag ratio of the parachute during its terminal descent. The simulation results have been compared with real in flight measurements. Satisfactorily lift-drag ratio and canopy shape were obtained.