Self-similar curling of a naturally curved elastica

Abstract

We consider the curling of an initially flat but naturally curved elastica on a hard, nonadhesive surface. Combining theory, simulations, and experiments, we find novel behavior, including a constant front velocity and a self-similar shape of the curl that scales in size as t1 /3 at long times after the release of one end of the elastica. The front velocity is selected by matching the self-similar solution with a roll of nearly constant curvature located near the free end. © 2012 American Physical Society.