Date of Award
7-2018
Access Type
Thesis - Open Access
Degree Name
Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering
Department
Graduate Studies
Committee Chair
Dr. Mark Ricklick
First Committee Member
Dr. John Gordon Leishman
Second Committee Member
Dr. Richard Anderson
Abstract
The modeling of a ram-air parachute presents challenges in the prediction of the inflight geometry, as there is a strong interaction between the flow field and parachute structure. This thesis presents the development of a CAD design and CFD methodology to the simulation of ram-air parachutes in steady-state conditions. Starting from a 2D rib drawing, methods were developed to approximate the 3D geometry and efficiently model the parachute as a rigid and impermeable body. The use of distortions was implemented on a 2D, pseudo-2D, and 3D model to enhance their behavior during a real flight. The SST turbulence model was chosen for the modeling of these designs because of its suitability to predict flow separation and reattachment from adverse pressure gradients. The high complexity of the 3D model is handled using appropriate boundary conditions and cleaning geometric tools within the CFD software.
Scholarly Commons Citation
Pazmiño, Angelo A. Fonseca, "A Computational Fluid Dynamics Study on the Aerodynamic Performance of Ram-Air Parachutes" (2018). Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses. 405.
https://commons.erau.edu/edt/405
