The flexural mechanics of creased thin strips. (1st August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Walker, M.G.; Seffen, K.A.
• Is Part Of: International journal of solids and structures. Volume 167(2019)
• Page Start: 192
• Page End: 201
• Publication Date: 2019-08-01
• Subjects: Creasing -- Folding -- Shell structures -- Tape-spring; Mechanics, Applied -- Periodicals; Structural analysis (Engineering) -- Periodicals; Elastic solids -- Periodicals; Mécanique appliquée -- Périodiques; Constructions, Théorie des -- Périodiques; Solides élastiques -- Périodiques; Elastic solids; Mechanics, Applied; Structural analysis (Engineering); Periodicals; 624.18
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2019.03.016
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0020-7683

Abstract

Abstract: Many structures in Nature and Engineering are dominated by the influence of folds. A very narrow fold is a crease, which may be treated with infinitesimal width for a relatively simple geometry; commensurately, it operates as a singular hinge line with torsional elastic properties. However, real creases have a finite width and thus continuous structural properties. We therefore consider the influence of the crease geometry on the large-displacement flexural behaviour of a thin creased strip. First, we model the crease as a shallow cylindrical segment connected to initially flat side panels. We develop a theoretical model of their coupled flexural behaviour and, by adjusting the relative panel size, we capture responses from a nearly singular crease up to a full tape-spring. Precise experiments show good agreement compared to predictions.