Phase field model for multi-material shape optimization of inextensible rods

We derive a model for the optimization of the bending and torsional rigidities of nonhomogeneous elastic rods. This is achieved by studying a sharp interface shape optimization problem with perimeter penalization, that treats both rigidities as objectives. We then formulate a phase field approximation of the optimization problem and show the convergence to the aforementioned sharp interface model via Γ-convergence. In the final part of this work we numerically approximate minimizers of the phase field problem by using a steepest descent approach and relate the resulting optimal shapes to the development of the morphology of plant stems.