The flexural mechanics of creased thin strips

Walker, M.G.; Seffen, K.A.

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.

Citation

Walker, M., & Seffen, K. (2019). The flexural mechanics of creased thin strips. International Journal of Solids and Structures, 167, 192-201. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2019.03.016

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Online Publication Date: Aug 1, 2019
• Publication Date: Aug 1, 2019
• Deposit Date: Aug 9, 2024
• Journal: International Journal of Solids and Structures
• Print ISSN: 0020-7683
• Electronic ISSN: 1879-2146
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 167
• Pages: 192-201
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2019.03.016
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2745756
• Other Repo URL: https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/items/b4c511de-4708-4348-a12b-533cb6c5a5b2