A large-strain beam theory for incompressible hyperelastic soft materials
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: A large-strain model for plane bending of beams made of incompressible hyperelastic soft material, accounting for both thickness and width deformations, is developed. Results are presented for simply supported incompressible neo-Hookean beams with rectangular cross-section under transverse and axial loading, with both immovable and movable end constraints. Comparisons with three-dimensional finite element simulations demonstrate the accuracy and applicability of the proposed theory, particularly in the regime of large deformations. The case of supercritical post-buckling behaviour is studied using the proposed model. The theory developed provides insight into the coupling between axial, bending, and lateral deformations of incompressible hyperelastic beams. • New beam theory derived from 3D elasticity and incompressible materials for computational efficiency • Soft hyperelastic materials with incompressibility automatically and exactly satisfied • Validated through comparison to 3D elasticity
Institutions: Westlake University, McGill University
Language: English
Subfield: Biomedical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,040
OpenAlex ID: W7155707318