Fluid–structure interaction-based aerodynamic modeling for flight dynamics simulation of parafoil system

Prediction of aerodynamic force is a crucial issue for parafoil canopy as the strong nonlinear fluid–structure interaction (FSI) between flexible material and flow field. Flight tests wind tunnel experiments are difficult to analyze aerodynamics because limitation difficulty data measurement in an unknown environment. The objective this study was computationally derive characteristics parafoil, alternative expensive unrepeatable test regimes. Different from previous works that assume structure rigid body serve design focused on precise dynamic modeling based FSI simulations. To investigate performance full-scale with stabilizers better control, coupling simulations were performed using incompressible computational fluid dynamics techniques. highlight paper explore effects inflation trailing edge deflections performance. Then coefficients identified by linear regression method obtained database high fidelity lift drag forces. Furthermore, accurate six-degree-of-freedom model system implemented estimated coefficients. Simulations conducted prove stability feasibility trajectory tracking. At last, simulation results basic motions compared airdrop testing data, which demonstrates established capable accurately predicting flight behaviors system.