Thin heavy elastic strips at large deflexions

Abstract

The deflected forms taken up by an elastic strip of uniform thickness and constant width hanging under its own weight as (i) a cantilever, (ii) a heart-shaped loop and (iii) with position-fixed ends in the same horizontal plane, are presented, the results having been obtained using an analogue computer. Some comparisons with small-deflexion theory are drawn. Results showing deflected form are also given for a uniformly thick strip whose width tapers uniformly (triangular strip) and for a long, thin, heavy wire held at its top end and deflected by a uniform horizontal wind pressure.