Twist and Stretch of Helices Explained via the Kirchhoff-Love Rod Model of Elastic Filaments

Đuričković, Bojan; Goriely, Alain; Maddocks, John H.

Twist and Stretch of Helices Explained via the Kirchhoff-Love Rod Model of Elastic Filaments

Type

Article

Authors

Đuričković, Bojan
Goriely, Alain

Maddocks, John H.

KAUST Grant Number

KUK-C1-013-04

Date

2013-09-05

Abstract

In various single-molecule experiments, a chiral polymer, such as DNA, is simultaneously pulled and twisted. We address an elementary but fundamental question raised by various authors: does the molecule overwind or unwind under tension? We show that within the context of the classic Kirchhoff-Love rod model of elastic filaments, both behaviors are possible, depending on the precise constitutive relations of the polymer. More generally, our analysis provides an effective linear response theory for helical structures that relates axial force and axial torque to axial translation and rotation. © 2013 American Physical Society.

Citation

Đuričković B, Goriely A, Maddocks JH (2013) Twist and Stretch of Helices Explained via the Kirchhoff-Love Rod Model of Elastic Filaments. Physical Review Letters 111. Available: http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.111.108103.

Acknowledgements

This publication is based in part upon work supported by Grant No. KUK-C1-013-04, made by (KAUST), and by the U.S. NSF under Grant No. DMS-0907773 (B. D.). A. G. acknowledges support from a Reintegration Grant under EC Framework VII. The work of J. H. M. was supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation under Grants No. 200021-126666/1&2 and No. 200020-143613.