Shape computation of closed elastica under external forces

This paper deals with a computation method for calculating a largely deformed shape of a closed elastica subject to external forces. The computation method considered here utilizes a dimensionless discrete elastica model discretized by a multi-link approximation, and employs the shooting method for solving boundary-value problems of a closed elastica. Validity of the computation is confirmed by comparing a real shape of a closed elastica subject to external forces and a corresponding simulated one. Numerical stability of the computation is also discussed.