Unloading Waves in a Plucked Hyperelastic String

The governing equations for the finite deformation plane motion of a hyperelastic string are obtained in conservation form. These equations and the corresponding jump relations are used to investigate the response of a symmetrically-plucked string when it is suddenly released. Similarity solutions, which are valid until the first reflection occurs at a fixed end, are obtained for two strain energy functions. Justification is given for the use of isothermal strain energy functions.