Structural analysis of hypersonic inflatable aerodynamic decelerator pressure tub testing

Published: 2018

Author(s):
Young, A.
Davids, W. G.
Cheatwood, F.
Lindell, M.

Publication Name: Thin-Walled Structures

Publication URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0263823118301186

Research Area:
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Keywords:
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Abstract:

Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (HIAD) systems have the potential to deliver the large payloads required for human-scale Mars missions. The structural response of the HIAD is critical as the inflatable members are relatively compliant compared with traditional decelerators. Structural testing and analysis were conducted on a 3.7?m HIAD subjected to uniform pressure. A beam-based finite-element modeling methodology was developed to analyze the inflatable system that incorporates strap pretension and interaction between adjacent members, a significant advance relative to previous analyses of individual inflated HIAD components. The computationally efficient modeling approach accurately captured the load-deformation response of the HIAD system.