Discussion Forum

Hello,

Im doing analysis on the shaping of balloon gores cut from a polyethlyene/polyester laminate. The shape of the inflated balloon is used as an optical reflector and is therefore crucial to the application.

I want to find via simulation the 2d gore shape that when arrayed and bonded into an inflatable envelope gives the most effective ballon profile curve.

For an idea of the construction method i mean see the old NASA project PAGEOS. space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/pageos.htm

Any way id like to model the deformation of one or all the gores under inflation but I dont know where to begin in applying the correct constraints and edge forces to my gore section model.

Is this type of analysis possible in the comsol framework?? Any tips or practical suggestions would be hugely appreciated.

Best Regards
Declan