Pick-up locations are obtained on strips of limp material that minimize a measure of deformation (strain energy). The strips are modeled as continuous beams subjected to a uniformly distributed load using small and large deflection beam theories. Pick-up locations correspond to n support locations of the continuous beam. Strain energy is computed from a finite element solution, and optimal locations are obtained by solving unconstrained and bound constrained optimization problems. Results are in terms of a nondimensional number that characterizes the flexibility of the beam and are applicable to a wide range of limp materials. Some results for fabric strips are also presented.
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