Industrial application of elastic rod theory

Personnel: Dr Barrie Fraser, Dr Jim Clark, Dr A.R. Champneys, Bristol University, Dept. of Engineering Mathematics, Dr G. van der Heijden, Dept. of Civil Engineering, University College London.

This project uses the large deflection nonlinear theory of elastic rods to model

(a) Twist insertion process in yarn spinning

This is an extension of the project mathematical modelling for better yarn production that concerned itself with yarn dynamics in spinning processes for which flexible string theory is sufficient.

(b) The stability of drill strings in deep bore drilling processes in the mining and oil drilling industries

(c) DNA supercoiling

This is an on going project started in 1998 in partnership with Dr A.R. Champneys, Bristol University, Dept. of Engineering Mathematics, and Dr G. van der Heijden, Dept. of Civil Engineering, University College London.

The project has been sponsored by two ARC large grants and a grant from the EPSRC UK.