An asymptotic non-linear model for thin-walled rods with strongly curved open cross-section

In this paper, we present a non-linear one-dimensional model for thin-walled rods with open strongly curved cross-section, obtained by asymptotic methods. A dimensional analysis of the non-linear three-dimensional equilibrium equations lets appear dimensionless numbers which reflect the geometry of the structure and the level of applied forces. For a given force level, the order of magnitude of the displacements and the corresponding one-dimensional model are deduced by asymptotic expansions.