The Mechanical Behavior of Parachute Suspension Lines

Researcher: Catherine Barry

Sponsor: The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Soldier Center

Collaborators: Keith Bergeron, Greg Noetscher, Christine Charette, David Willis, Scott Stapleton, James Sherwood

Description: This project focuses on the finite element modeling of parachute suspension lines to understand how their mechanical behavior contributes to their vibrational response in flight. The vibration of the lines degrades the flight performance and creates noise which can be heard for several kilometers. The goal is to numerically simulate the suspension line (braided cord) and its behavior and virtually change its architecture to see what parameters (braid angle, number of yarns, etc.) mitigate the vibration.