Simulation numérique de recherche de forme : application aux gilets de sauvetage gonflables

This paper presents an application of form-finding for lifej ackets. Form-finding is the process in which the design of lightweight structures as inflatable structures is researched. The static equilibrium state is required for lifejacke ts to analyse their general form, contained volume and wrinkli ng zones localisation. The dynamic relaxation method with kinetic damping avoids the problem of singular stiffne ss matrix and local instability in wrinkiling zones. Its convergence rate strongly depends on the mass matrix formul ation. In this paper, some expressions for masses are tested and their efficiency are compared.