A variational approach to a generalized elastica problem

Abstract

In this paper, we apply the calculus of variations to solve the elastica problem. We examine a more general elastica problem in which the material under consideration need not be uniformly rigid. Using, the Euler–Lagrange equations, we derive a system of nonlinear differential equations whose solutions are given by these generalized elastica curves. We consider certain simplifying cases in which we can solve the system of differential equations. Finally, we use novel numerical techniques to approach solutions to the problem in full generality.