Abstract: Based on the discretized mass system hypothesis, a flexible net is assumed to be divided into lumped mass elements at mesh nodes and cylindrical elements at mesh bars. Dynamic equations are established by using the Kawabata tensile stressstrain model and considering the impact of aerodynamics. The solution, using fourthorder Runge-Kutta method and amending the speed in accordance with the wastage of energy, can determine the state of the flexible net including the location and speed of each element at any moment, and the deployment process of the flexible net is visualized by using OpenGL. The numerical model is testified by using defensive net gun launch tests. There is good agreement between the experimental and theoretical values for net shape configuration, and the method can simulate the deployment process of the net shape. By comparing the deployment processes of the flexible net with different aerodynamic coefficients, it is found that simulation results are closer to the real situation when the aerodynamic coefficients are determined by the function of the Reynolds number.

Key words: rope, numerical simulation, deployment, experiments, aerodynamics