Pendulum with non-rigid string

agostino981

Hello guys, this is my first post so if I have something done wrong, please tell me. :P

When we come across with pendula, they are all with rigid rod, whether with mass or not. I wonder if the pendulum has a non-rigid string which can estimate the motion of string when the pendulum rises above [itex]\pi[/itex].

My plan is like this:

Assume the string is a complex pendulum which are composed of numerous rigid rod which that the accuracy of the model will increase (hopefully). Air resistance and resistance due to friction between the string and the hook or whatever is negligible.

As string can't be folded to much, there must be a curvature and the resistance against the bending will be shown as [itex]k \theta[/itex], where [itex]k[/itex] is the constant depending on the material and [itex]\theta[/itex] is the angle between normal and the rod.

How to input the resistance force due to angle of bending into Lagrangian mechanics? And, any suggestions?

-Agos