Mechanical Engineering Seminar

Dynamics of Highly Flexible Structures

Lawrence Virgin, Ph.D.

School of Engineering

Duke University

Abstract

This talk will focus attention on the behavior of very flexible, slender structures. For these types of systems, the self-weight of the structure is often the key loading condition. An elastica formulation is used to solve for equilibrium configurations and vibration frequencies and mode shapes, and experimental results verify the theory. Specific applications include marine risers, solar sails, and mechanisms for vibration isolation.

Tuesday, November 16, 2007, 3:00 pm


1230 Engineering


Refreshments served at 2:50 pm


Biography

Lawrie Virgin is the Gardner Professor and Chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and also Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, at Duke University, where he has been a faculty member since 1988. Prior to that he received his education in the United Kingdom culminating in a PhD from the University of London. His research interests are centered on nonlinear mechanics especially buckling, nonlinear vibration and their interaction. Applications of his research include ship capsize, aeroelasticity, marine risers, rocking blocks, control, sonic fatigue, solar sails and the dynamics of very slender structures. He has written two books: "Introduction to Experimental Nonlinear Dynamics" (2000) and "Vibration of Axially Loaded Structures" (2007), both published by Cambridge University Press.