Local mechanical description of an elastic fold

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Mechanical Engineering
• Polymer Physics

Background:

• Existing models simplify folds as elastic hinges.
• A deeper understanding of crease mechanics in polymer sheets is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a more accurate model for polymer fold mechanics.
• To investigate the mechanical response of shaped and annealed polymer creases.
• To elucidate the local properties and behavior of fold creases.

Main Methods:

• Experimental characterization of fold shape and forces under various loading conditions.
• Development of a continuous elastic model for faces and creases.
• Asymptotic analysis of fold deformation.

Main Results:

• The model accurately predicts experimental observations.
• Identified distinct mechanical behaviors in tensile and compression regimes.
• Determined local crease shape and its contribution to mechanical response.

Conclusions:

• The refined model provides insights into polymer fold mechanics.
• Crease properties significantly influence fold behavior.
• Understanding crease mechanics is crucial for designing foldable polymer structures.