Initial Postcontact Behavior of an Axially Compressed Fiber Constrained Inside a Rigid Cylinder: Experimental, Analytical, and Numerical Investigation

Abstract The postbuckling behavior of a clamped-clamped elastic fiber constrained inside rigid cylinder is analyzed theoretically, numerically, and experimentally. We concentrate on characterizing the contact configuration between wall during initial postcontact stages deformation, in which only small segment length maintains with wall. This apparently first study that phenomenon presenting an in-depth investigation deformation experiments, along detailed examination effect geometrical imperfection. main experimental challenge was to identify regions distinguish them from segments are very close but make no it. To this end, we employed novel setup consisting transparent filled opaque milky fluid, combined image processing, synchronized force measurements. results experiments supported by finite-element analysis also compared available theoretical predictions based elastica model initially perfectly straight fiber. A strain analytical solution reveals role minor imperfections deriving force–displacement relation bending. provides new understanding influence key parameters such systems may have practical implications fields stent procedures, medical endoscopy, deep drilling, more.