Geometric Elasticity for Graphics, Simulation, and Computation

Citation

Sanan, Patrick David (2014) Geometric Elasticity for Graphics, Simulation, and Computation. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/DF7X-F354. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:12052013-121547860

Abstract

We develop new algorithms which combine the rigorous theory of mathematical elasticity with the geometric underpinnings and computational attractiveness of modern tools in geometry processing. We develop a simple elastic energy based on the Biot strain measure, which improves on state-of-the-art methods in geometry processing. We use this energy within a constrained optimization problem to, for the first time, provide surface parameterization tools which guarantee injectivity and bounded distortion, are user-directable, and which scale to large meshes. With the help of some new generalizations in the computation of matrix functions and their derivative, we extend our methods to a large class of hyperelastic stored energy functions quadratic in piecewise analytic strain measures, including the Hencky (logarithmic) strain, opening up a wide range of possibilities for robust and efficient nonlinear elastic simulation and geometry processing by elastic analogy.

Thesis Files