Thermal stress and temperature-dependent degradation in cargo parachutes: a one-way fluid–structure interaction study

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the relationship between heat transfer, thermal stresses, and temperature-dependent material degradation in cargo parachutes. The study evaluates how woven textile products used in parachute systems behave in relation to temperature. Considering that material degradation is a process that develops under combined mechanical and thermal effects, a theoretical temperature-dependent aging framework based on the Arrhenius relationship is presented. The study was conducted specifically with woven textiles designed at Erciyes University Aviation Application and Research Center (ERHAM). The temperature-dependent behavior of these specially designed woven fabrics was evaluated. The analyses were performed in the ANSYS Workbench environment using a one-way sequential Fluent–Mechanical FSI (Fluid–structure interaction) approach. The study lays the groundwork for a better understanding of the temperature-dependent mechanical strength of cargo parachutes before experimental data are obtained. In addition to providing a systematic framework for understanding the performance of parachute fabrics under thermal loads, the results obtained provide a roadmap for future experimental studies. This method is an important step in supporting cargo parachute design, durability evaluation, and reliability assessments.