PREDICTIVE TOOLS FOR DNA STRUCTURE AND REGULATORY SITES

Not Available For optimal design of the personnel parachute, the ability to predict the opening forces during an airdrop is crucial. Solving this challenging technical problem will permit better design for both military and civilian parachutes, in terms of structural parameters and selection of materials. As a cost-effective solution to the current practice of overdesigning parachutes, a novel methodology for real-time characterization of the structural behavior of parachutes during inflation is proposed. This method is based on the application of fiber optic sensors embedded into the parachute fabric. Sensor measurements will be supported by mechanical testing and modeling. Two types of fiber optic sensors will be used to measure axial, bi-axial, and transverse deformation of a parachute canopy and suspension lines. An optical fiber Bragg grating (FBG) type sensor will be used as a short strain gauge for axial strain measurements. The second tripe of fiber optic sensors is based on the Modal Power Distribution (MPD) technique, developed by M. El-Sherif (project director) through several Army and DoD projects. Acting as a long length strain gauge, this is also the only sensor tripe that can be used in measuring transverse stresses. The integration of these two types will form a novel sensory system capable of measuring the dynamic structural behavior of a parachute during inflation. Axial, bi-axial, and drop lab tests, will be conducted to demonstrate the concept of the proposed met