On the motion of flexible threads in a Stokes shear field (Q799172)

Authors obtained an exact solution for the motion of a flexible, inextensible thread in an unbounded Stokes shear flow by considering the limit of infinitely small lateral/axial mobility ratios. With the aid of this solution permanence and stability have been examined for threads having uniform axial mobility. It has been shown that only piecewise straight threads can have permanent or stationary form and that a straight thread behaves as a rigid rod in the same shear field although it may not be stable in form. Stability analyses have also been carried out but resulting in no general conclusions. Limitations of the model and the possible relevance to the rheology of fibrous composites and suspensions have also been discussed.