Professor Michael L. Accorsi
Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
University of Connecticut
accorsi@engr.uconn.edu
Computer Simulation of Parachute Dynamics
This research has been supported by the Army Research Office and the U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center.
Contact in Parachute Clusters
Photograph of a Typical Parachute Cluster.
Cluster Contact Simulation (Side View)
Cluster Contact Simulation (Top View)
Cluster Contact Simulation (Skirt Perimeters)
Foreign Body Impact with an Inflated Canopy
Initial Impact (Side View)
Full Impact (Side View)
Full Impact (Top View)
Controlled Steering of a G-12 Parachute
Photograph of Actual G-12 System During Steering
Initial Inflated Configuration
Configuration during Steering
Multiple Configurations During Steering Maneuver
Movie of Steering Maneuver (400 KB)
Inflation of a Canopy with Slider Reefing
Photograph of a Parachute with Slider Reefing
Initial Folded Configuration with Slider
During Inflation: Without Slider (Left) and With Slider (Right)
During Inflation: Without Slider (Left) and With Slider (Right)
During Inflation: Without Slider (Left) and With Slider (Right)
Movie of Canopy Inflation with Slider Reefing (732 KB)
Simulation of Parafoil Dynamics
Photograph of the NASA X38 Parafoil
Inflated Configuration of Parafoil Model
2D Steady Glide Trajectory (Parafoil Outline Shown)
Movie of 2D Steady Glide
Configuration of Parafoil during Turning
Parafoil Trajectory During Turn (Parafoil Outline Shown)
Movie of Turning Maneuver
Simulation of Fabric "Wrinkling"
Initial Folded Configuration
Partially Inflated Configuration without Wrinkling
Partially Inflated Configuration without Wrinkling
Partially Inflated Configuration without Wrinkling
Movie of Inflation "Without Wrinkling"
Partially Inflated Configuration with Wrinkling
Partially Inflated Configuration with Wrinkling
Partially Inflated Configuration with Wrinkling
Movie of Inflation "With Wrinkling"
