Wave propagation in double helical rods

Abstract The propagation of waves in helical rods has been studied extensively. However, studying the wave propagation in double helical rods have received less attention although this can be useful in multiple fields of science and engineering. Obtaining an analytical model for a double helical rod is challenging since the curvature and tortuosity are not constant. Thus, resolving the wave behaviour analytically is nearly impossible. In this paper, wave propagation in a double helical rod will be studied using the wave and finite element method which is a technique that can be used to model homogeneous and periodic one and two dimensional structures based on the periodic structure theory. For modelling a double helical rod, the finite element model of a single turn is processed using Bloch waves. The dispersion curves and wavemodes are obtained and the similarities and differences of waves in helical and double helical rods are highlighted.