Numerical simulation of parafoil aerodynamics and structural deformation based on loose coupled method

The aerodynamic characteristic and structural deformation of two kinds of parafoils, one without cells and one with cells, were numerically simulated by utilizing loose coupled method to study the cell's effect on parafoil aerodynamic performance and structural deformation. In terms of fluid analysis, the finite volume method was used to solve Navier-Stokes equations and the shear-stress transport (SST) k-ω two-equation turbulence model was applied to simulate the turbulence. In terms of structure analysis, parafoils have initial shape was assumed and interpolation method was used to pass mapped pressure data in the interface. ANSYS was also used as a numerical solver. The final results show that cell has little effect on drag and its effect on lift occurs when angle of attack is high; parafoil's flexibility and size have little impact on the range of favorable angle of attack; the deformation and maximum principle stress are mainly concentrated in the middle of cells, the aerodynamic deformation of parafoil with cells is small because of the ribs and this ensures parafoil better aerodynamic characteristics to some extent.