Numerical simulation on vertical water entry impact of a recovery module

The complex multiphase and fluid-structure interaction problem of the vertical water entry of a recovery module was numerically researched. The two-dimensional axisymmetrical unsteady Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) equation and Realizable k-ε turbulent equations were solved by the SIMPLE algorithm. The water impact on the recovery module in single-degree-of-freedom motion was simulated by dynamic mesh method. The air-water interface was tracked using the volume of fluid (VOF) model. The employed numerical methods were firstly validated by comparing simulation results with experimental data. The effects of slamming velocity and weight on slamming force were investigated. A relationship formula of the acceleration peak to variable velocities and weights was obtained. The maximum shock pressure on the recovery module occurred in the early stage when entrying into the water and the pressure peak is always located in the splash root close to the recovery module.