Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 2026

Experimental and Data Analysis Workflow for Soft Matter Nanoindentation
Published on: January 18, 2022
Axisymmetric indentation of curved elastic membranes by a convex rigid indenter
S P Pearce1, J R King, M J Holdsworth
1Department of Plant and Crop Sciences, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, LE12 5RD, UK.
Abstract:
Motivated by applications to seed germination, we consider the transverse deflection that results from the axisymmetric indentation of an elastic membrane by a rigid body. The elastic membrane is fixed around its boundary, with or without an initial pre-stretch, and may be initially curved prior to indentation. General indenter shapes are considered, and the load-indentation curves that result for a range of spheroidal tips are obtained for both flat and curved membranes. Wrinkling may occur when the membrane is initially curved, and a relaxed strain-energy function is used to calculate the deformed profile in this case. Applications to experiments designed to measure the mechanical properties of seed endosperms are discussed.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Mechanisms of Membrane-bending
Membrane bending can happen due to intrinsic changes in lipid composition or extrinsic association with different proteins. The proteins involved...
Deformations in a Symmetric Member in Bending
When the member is segmented into tiny cubic elements, it is observed that the primary stress...
Deformations in a Transverse Cross Section
As the material stretches, it expands or contracts in orthogonal directions to the load. This phenomenon varies...
Relation between Poisson's ratio, Modulus of Elasticity and Modulus of Rigidity
Bending of Curved Members - Strain Analysis
The important part of bending analysis for such a member is the...
Equation of the Elastic Curve
Consider a cantilever beam with a point load at its free end (for instance, a diving board). When analyzing beam deflection with small slopes, the shape of the beam's elastic curve becomes key. The governing equation for this analysis involves the bending moment and the beam's flexural rigidity,...

