NONLINEAR-WAVES IN AN INEXTENSIBLE FLEXIBLE HELIX

The complete analytical solution of the governing nonlinear vector equ ations is found which describes periodic and solitary propagating-rota ting waves in an initially helical fiber. A detailed description of va rious types of these waves is given. The solitary wave velocity is fou nd to be proportional to the square root of the amplitude of the inter nal force, and the effective wave length is shown to be independent of the amplitude. The essential influence of the rigid body rotation of the helix on the wave shape is shown. Axial and angular momenta are de termined as well. Copyright (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.