What factors should be considered when designing a parachute?

These include:

  • the surface area (“reference” area) of the canopy, upon which the Cd is based.
  • gliding characteristics.
  • air flow pattern around the canopy.
  • shape of the canopy.
  • the permeability of the fabric (“tightness” of weave)
  • descent velocity.
  • length of shroud lines.

What is the most effective parachute design?

The circle parachute should demonstrate the slowest average descent rate because its natural symmetrical shape would be the most efficient design to maximize wind resistance and create drag. On December 10, 2006, four lightweight plastic parachutes were dropped in an inside area with no wind.

How is parachute size determined?

* IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT REFERENCE DIAMETER: Reference Diameter is used to calculate the descent velocity drag area. For Fruity Chutes parachutes, this diameter is the same as the opening diameter of the parachute. The drag area of the parachute is calculated as Pi * D / 4, where D is the reference diameter.

What makes a parachute fall slower?

The large surface area of the parachute material provides air resistance to slow the parachute down. The larger the surface area the more air resistance and the slower the parachute will drop.

How do you calculate drag on a parachute?

The drag equation states that the drag (D) is equal to some drag coefficient (Cd) times half of the air density (r) times the square of the velocity (V) times the reference area (A). We can equate this to the weight and solve for the velocity.

How does the length of string affect a parachute?

We observed that the longer the strings,, the bigger the surface area of the parachute. Since the surface area was larger for the 45cm strings this causes more air resistance which means a longer hangtime.

How do you increase the air resistance of a parachute?

The cross-sectional area of the skydiver An open parachute increases the cross-sectional area of the falling skydiver and thus increases the amount of air resistance which he encounters (as observed in the animation below). Once the parachute is opened, the air resistance overwhelms the downward force of gravity.

What is the diameter of a parachute?

The T-10D main parachute is a parabolic-shape and has a nominal diameter of 35 feet (11 m) with 30 suspension lines. The entire assembly weighs 31 pounds (14 kg). Paratroopers can be dropped from an aircraft at a maximum speed of 173 mph (150 kn), at a minimum of 500 ft (150 m).

Does size of a parachute matter?

The size of the parachute affects the speed of falling because a larger parachute allows it to displace more air, causing it to fall more slowly. If you consider the extreme example of no parachute, an object will fall quickly.

How many lines should a parachute have?

Most modern parachutes have five sets of lines called the A-lines, B-lines, C-lines, D-lines and brake lines. There is the AAD, also known as the automatic activation device.

How do you calculate velocity of a parachute?

The basic model of the “parachute problem” can be expressed as an initial value problem for the position, x, or the (vertical) velocity, v, of a skydiver under the forces of gravity and air resistance. The force due to air resistance in this basic model is considered proportional to the velocity. v = − k1 m v − g.