Nascent deformations of slender elastic solids under applied tension and twist

We discuss experiments on the deformations of slender elastic solids held under tension at two ends and then twisted through a prescribed angle. While a rich phase set of buckled structures are observed in ribbons for large enough twist and tension [1,2], here we focus on the the regime before the onset of buckling instabilities. We measure the shape and deformation field observed as a function of applied tension and twist to understand the development of stress in the solid as a function of geometric aspect ratios. Thus, the competition of geometry and elasticity on the evolving structure is examined as a function of distance from the boundary. The shapes obtained will be discussed in terms of the strain relaxed shapes possible in the system.

[1]. "Helicoids, Wrinkles, and Loops in Twisted Ribbons," Julien Chopin and Arshad Kudrolli, Phys. Rev. Lett.111, 174302 (2013).
[2]. "Disclinations, e-cones, and their interactions in extensible sheets," J. Chopin and A. Kudrolli, Soft Matter, 124457-4462 (2016).