Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Stretching, drilling, and bending are the independent deformation modes of a thin shell, each of which has an individual energy content. When the energy content of a mode vanishes, that mode is neutral . We characterize all neutral modes of deformation of minimal surfaces into minimal surfaces. A hierarchy is found among these: a stretching neutral mode (which is an isometry) is also drilling neutral, and a drilling neutral mode is also bending neutral. Thus, all isometries of a minimal surface are globally neutral and give rise to soft elasticity . More generally, all minimal surfaces can be classified relative to a reference one in terms of three energy contents, which can be given in closed form.
Source: Journal of Elasticity
Authors: André M. Sonnet, Epifanio G. Virga
Institutions: University of Strathclyde, University of Pavia
Language: English
Subfield: Applied Mathematics
Field: Mathematics
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,890
Funder: Università degli Studi di Pavia
OpenAlex ID: W4415274185