Piecewise linear constitutive relations for stretch-limited elastic strings

Abstract This study proposes a simple and novel class of stretch-limiting constitutive relations for perfectly flexible elastic strings drawn from modern advances in constitutive theory for elastic bodies. We investigate strings governed by constitutive relations where stretch is a bounded, piecewise linear function of tension, extending beyond the traditional Cauchy elasticity framework. Our analysis includes explicit solutions for catenaries and longitudinal, piecewise constant stretched motions.