Geodesic shape finding of membrane structure with geodesic string by the dynamic relaxation method

The explicit nonlinear dynamic relaxation method (DRM) is applied to the nonlinear geodesic shape finding analysis by introducing fictional tensioned \'strings\' along the desired seams with a three or four-node membrane element. A number of results from the numerical example for the nonlinear geodesic shape finding and patterning analysis are obtained by the proposed method to demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the developed method. Therefore, the proposed geodesic shape finding algorithm may improve the applicability of a four-node membrane element to membrane structural engineering and design analysis simultaneously for the shape finding, stress, and patterning analysis.