Buckling of rods with spontaneous twist and curvature

Abstract

We analyze stability of a thin inextensible elastic rod which has non-vanishing spontaneous generalized torsions in its stress-free state. Two classical problems are studied, both involving spontaneously twisted rods: a rectilinear beam compressed by axial forces, and a circular ring subjected to uniform radial pressure on its outer perimeter. It is demonstrated that while spontaneous twist stabilizes a rectilinear rod against buckling, its presence has an opposite effect on a closed ring.