To address variability and unpredictable failure of textile energy modulators (EMs) used in parachutes, researchers developed a computational model replicating fabric weave and stitching patterns in LS-DYNA. The model simulates nylon stitch tearing and Kevlar webbing response during deployment to analyze normal and anomalous failure modes such as skipped stitches causing webbing shredding.
A Python scripting approach automated constructing complex EM geometries, enabling detailed simulation of dynamic loading. This modeling provides insights into mechanical root causes challenging to resolve experimentally, improving understanding of EM reliability and informing design improvements for shock load mitigation in reentry systems.
Source & further reading
Computational Modeling of Failure at the Fabric Weave Level in Reentry Parachute Energy Modulators ↗Source published 2026-03-10. This report was prepared with AI assistance from the linked primary-source material. Claims and limitations should be checked against the original announcement or research.