Abstract Cable net structures in mesh reflectors are flexible structures, and therefore, a form-finding process to obtain the shape and stiffness is paramount. To achieve a stable shape in equilibrium, the potential energy should be kept in its minimum in the stability analysis. Besides, the force distribution should be as even as possible to ensure the working performance. To satisfy this requirement, we make an improvement on the energy method by using the dynamic relaxation process to minimize the objective energy function. More specifically, dynamic relaxation process is introduced to minimize the potential energy and potential energy function is harnessed as the governor to converge the kinetic process and achieve a stable shape. In this way, the coefficients in objective function are transformed from force densities to forces in the energy method and the dynamic process can mimic the real process of applying prestress. Finally, numerical examples are presented to verify the efficiency of the method.
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