Publications Details
Three-dimensional structural analyses of reentry vehicles
The three-dimensional structural analysis of reentry vehicles presents a considerable challenge to the analyst. This is due to the mechanics of the problem as well as the incorporation of results from several disciplines into the environmental description of the problem. Separate results from aero-analyses, frequently computed in one-dimensional format must be combined into a three-dimensional format suitable for a structural finite element analysis. Features required for the analysis include the ablated thickness of the heatshield structure, as well as pressure on the vehicle and the temperature distribution through the heatshield. By combining these environments, a complete description of all factors which affect the structural performance of reentry vehicles are included into one analysis. This paper presents a method of analyzing the structural response of reentry vehicles using the complete three-dimensional environmental load description.