Description du sujet de thèse

Inflatable structures have a wide range of applications. They can be used to make temporary shelters, flexible robots, floating devices (e.g., inflatable canoes), inflatable furniture, safety equipment (inflatable cushions) or medical equipment (prosthetics, anti-bedsore mattresses, etc.). This wide range of applications is due to the many advantages of this type of structures. Light, safe and resistant, they are also low-coast and relatively easy to manufacture.
We have been developing “baromorphic” structures that are initially flat and expand when pressurized. One technique is based on the assembly of waterproof fabrics heat-welded flat following a pattern of channels. Inflating of these channels induces non-homogeneous contraction of the structure, which expands out of plane. The final shape is thus dictated by the architecture of the channels, and can be predicted and programmed using tool from Differential Geometry tools.
Up to now, we have concentrated on 2-layer fabric structures, which enable us to obtain a wide range of shapes. However, the geometry of these structures is fixed by the design of the channels. Increasing the pressure stiffens the structure but does not significantly alter its shape. A preliminary study has shown that superimposing a 3rd layer on a simple 2-layer structure to form 2 independent channel networks offers an additional degree of freedom. By adjusting the pressure differential between the 2 channel arrays, the curvature of the structure can be controlled, opening the way to “soft-robotic” applications.
How does this curvature vary as a function of pressure differential and channel geometry? What is the mechanical rigidity of these three-layer structures? What three-dimensional shapes can be obtained? What kind of applications can we imagine developing from “soft-robotics” to architectural elements?
We propose to approach this project through model experiments, a simplified analytical approach and a numerical tool, thanks to collaboration with colleagues at INRIA (Computer Sciences) and Navier laboratory (Civil Engineering).

Contexte de travail

We propose to approach this project through model experiments, a simplified analytical approach and
a numerical tool, thanks to collaboration with colleagues at INRIA (Computer Sciences) and Navier
laboratory (Civil Engineering)

Contraintes et risques

Use of fast prototyping techniques (3D printing, laser cutting, thermo-sealing platform) without any particular risk

Informations complémentaires

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