Motion of a flexible finite-length filament in a flow of a viscous fluid

The two-dimensional problem of the configuration of a flexible filament of finite length in a deformable viscous fluid is solved. The flexuural stresses in the filament and the inertial and gravitational forces are not taken into account. The equilibrium equations are obtained. The friction force that acts on the filament surface from the side of the viscous fluid is proportional to the flow rate. The specific features of the evolution of a bent filament under the conditions of pure and simple shear of a fluid are studied numerically. Analytical solutions are obtained for the evolution of a rectilinear filament; in particular, the stretching force in the filament is found. For the indicated types of flow, the stability of a rectilinear filament against small perturbations is investigated.