Abstract
We study the mechanical response of elastic rods bent into open knots, focusing on the case of trefoil and cinquefoil topologies. The limit of a weak applied tensile force is studied both analytically and experimentally: the Kirchhoff equations with self-contact are solved by means of matched asymptotic expansions; predictions on both the geometrical and mechanical properties of the elastic equilibrium are compared to experiments. The extension of the theory to tight knots is discussed.
| Original language | English |
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| Article number | 164301 |
| Journal | Physical Review Letters |
| Volume | 99 |
| Issue number | 16 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 19 Oct 2007 |
| Externally published | Yes |