The problem of modelling a mechanical biological system is studied in this thesis through the modelling and simulation of the trunk movements during respiration. The aim is the realistic graphical representation of these movements. The organisation of the present document suggests methodological steps for modelling.In the first part, the mechanical principles of the respiratory phenomena are explained. Then, the problem appears as the modelling and behavioural simulation under constraints of a complex object composed of regions having different properties (elasticity, motor functioning and rigidity). Physically-based dynamic methods are suited to our aim. A state of the art of these methods and their problematic is drawn up.The second part ...