The Statistics of Crumpled Paper

Abstract

A statistical study of crumpled paper is allowed by a minimal 1D model: a self-avoiding line bent at sharp angles -- in which resides the elastic energy -- put in a confining potential. Many independent equilibrium configurations are generated numerically and their properties are investigated. At small confinement, the distribution of segment lengths is log-normal in agreement with previous predictions and experiments. At high confinement, the system approaches a jammed state with a critical behavior, whereas the length distribution follows a Gamma law which parameter is predicted as a function of the number of layers in the system.