This demo shows the minimization of the deformation energy of the discrete elastic rod. Starting from random configuration, the minimization of the deformation energy leads to the initial un-deformed configuration.
613_FemRod solves the similar problem, but the formulation of the system matrix is specialized for the discretization of hairs.
The implementation of the rod is based on following two papers:
"Discrete Viscous Threads"
Miklós Bergou, Basile Audoly, Etienne Vouga, Max Wardetzky, Eitan Grinspun
ACM Transactions on Graphics (SIGGRAPH) 2010
http://www.cs.columbia.edu/cg/threads/
"Efficient Yarn-based Cloth with Adaptive Contact Linearization"
Jonathan M. Kaldor, Doug L. James, Steve Marschner
ACM SIGGRAPH 2010
https://research.cs.cornell.edu/YarnCloth/