On the verification and validation of a spring fabric for modeling parachute inflation

Abstract A mesoscale spring–mass model is used to mimic fabric surface motion. Through coupling with an incompressible fluid solver, the spring–mass model is applied to the simulation of the dynamic phenomenon of parachute inflation. A presentation of a verification and validation efforts is included. The present model is shown to be numerically convergent under the constraints that the summation of point masses is constant and that both the tensile stiffness and the angular stiffness of the spring conform with the material׳s Young modulus and Poisson ratio. Complex validation simulations conclude the effort via drag force comparisons with experiments.

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