How does the number of parachute ropes affect the stability of the parachute?

It seems no one knows, or it was posted in the wrong section

It seems no one knows, or it was posted in the wrong section

Lacking experience in this area, from other application fields, ropes offer more stability. For example, in the case of large flanges, there are twenty or thirty bolts. If strength is the only consideration, four larger bolts would be sufficient in terms of strength, but a very large number of bolts are used in such cases

It was indeed posted in the wrong place. Judging from what the original poster wrote, it seems to refer to an aerial work platform, a type of \"airborne suspended platform\" similar to high-altitude balloons; such things are completely different from parachutes. The mooring ropes of a moored platform are fixed to the ground, whereas a parachute keeps descending. From a mechanical perspective, these are two different types of stress conditions – which one is the author referring to? In the case of a moored floating platform, to put it simply, it’s similar to those hot air balloons used in celebrations – with ropes tied to heavy stones. The common practice these days is to use a three-point mooring system at the ground level; there are three mooring points on the platform, along with three winch systems on the ground that serve to stabilize the platform and assist in its retrieval. As for whether 9 or 18 ropes should be used, it seems to relate to the number of ropes connecting the mooring lines to the platform. The number of ropes depends on both the strength of the ropes and the shape of the platform as well as its wind-facing surface area. The forces involved are quite complex, and the calculations for such systems are typically handled by aerospace research institutions. If the three-point mooring system remains unchanged, then each point can have several ropes connected to the platform. If the mooring points are designed properly, the ropes won’t get entangled when the wind direction changes. Nine ropes should be sufficient – three thin ropes per mooring point. Ultimately, it’s those who came up with the idea of using 18 or 9 ropes who should have the final say. As long as their decision isn’t based on guesswork (after all, no one would dare make such decisions arbitrarily when it comes to moored platforms), and there are detailed calculation methods and reliable results, fewer ropes are generally better. After all, there are only three winches available on the ground. . .

Thank you for the answer from the expert above; I’ll refine my question further then. Taking the hot air balloon mentioned above as an example, for a hot air balloon that is a regular shape such as circular or square, with four symmetrical corners, a rope is attached to each corner leading to a stone of the same size; this system remains in a suspended state in the air, without taking into account external factors or details such as wind or rope resistance ； So if 4 ropes are replaced with 8, and each rope is tied to a smaller stone, the total weight remains the same and the system still stays suspended. Does this make the entire system more stable, or does it have no effect? What principle can be used to prove this?

To discuss this issue while ignoring the shape and stiffness, as well as the strength of the platform, and without taking into account factors such as wind and drag, is, in internet slang, nothing but \"being reckless.\" . In terms of moored platform design, within the scope you mentioned, three points are sufficient; they provide greater stability than four or eight points. . . Then it becomes a simple matter of buoyancy and gravity, which falls under classical mechanics; knowledge from middle school should be sufficient for this. . . . Your leaders’ approach must take into account the impact of wind direction on the platform; in fact, what matters most is the effect of the load at the mooring points on the platform (if they are truly professional). When it comes to calculating the forces acting on a floating platform, the most challenging aspect is precisely the influence of wind direction and wind force on stability – this falls under the realm of aerodynamics. The reason why institutions specializing in aviation and aerospace are more competent is that they focus on these areas of study, such as the trajectory of reentry capsules after they open their parachutes, changes in wind direction, etc. The stability calculations for weightless parachutes and powered parachutes also fall within this category, as does the flight posture of rockets in the air. It’s all part of the same field, with only differences in boundary conditions. To prove something, extensive calculations are required. . . Floating quietly in the air, with no wind at all, there’s no difference between 4 stones and 8 stones. . . If possible, you can even conduct an experiment using small hot air balloons indoors. . . . This is the most convincing.