Bending strength of delaminated aerospace composites.

Buckling-driven delamination is considered among the most critical failure modes in composite laminates. This paper examines the propagation of delaminations in a beam under pure bending. A pre-developed analytical model to predict the critical buckling moment of a thin sub-laminate is extended to account for propagation prediction, using mixed-mode fracture analysis.

Force-chain buckling in granular media: a structural mechanics perspective.

Parallels are drawn between the response of a discrete strut on a linear elastic foundation and force-chain buckling in a constrained granular medium. Both systems buckle initially into periodic shapes, with wavelengths that depend on relative resistances to lateral displacement, and curvature in the buckled shape. Under increasing end shortening, the classical structural model evolves to a localized form extending over a finite number of contributing links.

Mathematical modeling of the radial profile of basilar membrane vibrations in the inner ear.

Motivated by recent experimental results, an explanation is sought for the asymmetry in the radial profile of basilar membrane vibrations in the inner ear. A sequence of one-dimensional beam models is studied which take into account variations in the bending stiffness of the basilar membrane as well as the potential presence of structural hinges. The results suggest that the main cause of asymmetry is likely to be differences between the boundary conditions at the two extremes of the basilar membrane's width.