Computing surface area and volume of parachutes from 3D scans

Abstract

PurposeTo explore three‐dimensional scanning technology in capturing the shape of inflated parachutes for accurate estimation of surface area and volume.Design/methodology/approachThe volume and surface area of an inflated round parachute are important parameters for the design and analysis of its performance. However, it is difficult to acquire the three‐dimensional (3D) surface shape of a parachute due to its flexible fabric and dynamic movement. This paper presents how we collect 3D data with a laser scanner and calculate volume and surface area of parachutes from their scans. The necessary data clean and approximation steps with non‐uniform B‐spline function are introduced and implemented. Numerical integration methods are employed to estimate surface area and volume. The approximation of the parachute based on an ellipsoid is compared with the numerical integration approach in their volumes and surface areas.FindingsIt is found that 3D scanning technology, with help of mathematic program developed, provides a feasible mean to estimate the surface area and volume of inflated parachutes. The numerical integration method derived in this paper is reliable and robust for the computation.Originality/valueIt is the first time that the 3D shape of an inflated parachute has been scanned with a laser scanner. The mathematical methods developed for processing of scan data are useful for others who use 3D scanning technology. The computational approach and results of surface area and volume of inflated parachutes are valuable to parachute performance modeling and design community.