Numerical visualization of drop and opening process for parachute-payload system adopting fluid–solid coupling simulation

In order to study the fluid–solid coupling dynamic characteristics of parachute-payload system during drop process and analyze the unsteady aerodynamic characteristics under finite mass opening conditions, an adaptive moving fluid mesh method is developed on the basis of the existing arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) fluid–solid coupling method. The calculation results of open force and drop velocity on the C-9 parachute demonstrate the effectiveness of this method. On this basis, the effect of canopies with three different permeability on parachute-payload system motion characteristic including opening property, steady descent property and stability is studied. Comparative analysis is conducted for structures and characteristics of vortex with different canopy materials, and interference mechanism of unsteady flow for parachute-payload system in unsteady oscillation is revealed. The results show that the adaptive moving fluid mesh method can effectively eliminate restrictions of existing simulation methods for parachute-payload system and significantly reduce calculation time. For the lightweight parachute, permeability has significant effect on kinetic characteristic of parachute-payload system. Canopy with large permeability has small opening load and structural stress in opening stage. After opening, there are mainly small vortexes distributed evenly behind the canopy with good stability. However, canopy with small permeability has obvious breath behavior and oscillation in opening stage. The main vortexes periodically shed off after opening. With the change of permeability from small to large, Parachute-payload system eventually presents three steady descent modes: conical descent, gliding descent and stable vertical descent. Graphical abstract