Aerodynamics of Parachutes of Different Configurations and Sizes

Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of parachute design, focusing on the relationship between parachute shape, area, and their impact on drag coefficient and terminal velocity. The study utilized data from experiments conducted with circular, square, and equilateral triangle parachutes, measuring their respective areas and corresponding drag coefficients, as well as the time taken to reach terminal velocity. The analysis began with identifying anomalies or outliers in the data, and scatter plots were used to visualize the trends. The results revealed no significant anomalies for the circular and triangular parachutes, while the square parachute data showed a few outliers. Regression curves were then calculated for each parachute shape to model the relationship between area and drag coefficient. The R-squared coefficients indicated strong correlations between parachute area and drag coefficient for all shapes, with values ranging from 0.825 to 0.873.

Furthermore, the relationship between parachute area and terminal velocity was explored using linear regression models. The coefficient of determination (R-squared) for terminal velocity and parachute area ranged from 0.915 to 0.986, indicating high levels of variation in terminal velocity explained by parachute area. However, it is important to note that other factors, such as altitude, air density, and weight, may also influence terminal velocity. Additional analysis focused on the time taken to reach terminal velocity for each parachute shape. The calculated regression lines showed significant correlations between parachute area and the time taken to reach terminal velocity. The R-squared coefficients for the regression lines ranged from 0.905 to 0.968, suggesting strong relationships between parachute area and time.

In summary, the study offers insightful information on the connection between parachute design and area, as well as their influence on drag coefficient and terminal velocity. The outcomes show how crucial parachute design elements are to obtaining the required performance characteristics. These findings can be useful for parachute engineers and designers in optimizing parachute designs for various applications, such as skydiving, air delivery systems, and space exploration.

Keywords: aerospace, mechanics, fluid dynamics, terminal velocity, drag forces, parachutes