Estimation of Seams in Paraglider Wing

Abstract

The aim of the article is to analyze the seams connecting the covering textiles in paraglider wing and estimate their physical strength. The most extreme flight parameters (the angle of attack and velocity) in the numerical model of the wing allow the determination of the mean pressure inside the contour and the maximal difference between the pressures on the inner and the outer material surfaces. The preprocessing stage and numerical calculations in Ansys environment consider three different covering materials. The tool Porous Media is used to create the objects of a given value of air permeability. The estimated parameter of seam is the maximal pressure difference between both sides of the covering material, which that interacts with the test results. The quality index of the seam is defined by the maximal force to seam rupture and relative elongation during rupture. The obtained results indicate that the seams are resistant to the pressure difference caused by the most extreme flight parameters.

Influence of Material Degradation on Deformation of Paraglider during Flight

“…Paragliders are devices intended for gliding; their wings, of an elliptical outline, are manufactured from the following: upper and lower panels, and ribs. All of the segments are woven fabrics connected by seams [1,2]. Therefore, the wings do not have any rigid elements applied.…”

“…Based on the above, the following studies were performed: (1) basic material properties determination; (2) woven structure analysis based on the scanning electron microscope (SEM) records; (3) influence of the UV, thermal and flexing damage on the air permeability and mechanical properties of the paraglider fabrics; (4) CFD numerical determination of the pressure distribution over the paraglider wing geometry; (5) FEM structural analysis of the considered materials subjected and not subjected to the degradation.…”