Past exam of the elasticity and plasticity course of the University of Oxford / 2011 / 3 / a / Solution

Let $s$ be arc length, so inextensibility makes $r^{\prime }=d_3$ a unit tangent vector. The curvature is $\kappa ={\theta }^{\prime }$, hence $m^{\prime }=EI{\theta }^{\prime \prime }{e}_z$ for uniform bending stiffness. Balance of linear momentum in static equilibrium gives a constant resultant $n=F{e}_x+G{e}_y$.

Taking the cross product directly,The scalar component of conservation of angular momentum therefore becomesTogether with $x^{\prime }=\cos \theta$ and $y^{\prime }=\sin \theta$, this Euler elastica equation determines the centerline once the appropriate boundary conditions are supplied.