Sizing A Dragster Parachute

by Augustin Tommy Jr.

Submitted : Fall 2011

The purpose of this project is to apply calculus in order to solve a physics based engineering problem. The problem requires us to first determine the deceleration caused by the braking action without the use of a parachute, then determine the drag coefficient for the parachute to stop the vehicle in 200 meters, and finally with the drag coefficient that was found, calculate the required diameter of the chute in order to bring the vehicle to a stop in the required distance of 200 meters. After obtaining the results, one can conclude that in order to get the correct parachute for these situations, one must solve it on a case by case basis, due to the large amount of variables that change depending on each and every situation.

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