Bistable structures associated with non-linear deformation behavior,exemplified by the Venus flytrap and slap bracelet, can switch betweendifferent functional shapes upon actuation. Despite numerous efforts inmodeling such large deformation behavior of shells, the roles of mechanical andnonlinear geometric effects on bistability remain elusive. We demonstrate,through both theoretical analysis and table-top experiments, that twodimensionless parameters control bistability. Our work classifies theconditions for bistability, and extends the large deformation theory of platesand shells.
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