The University Distinguished Lecture Series in Science and Engineering, sponsored by the Office of the Provost and the Vice President for Research, presents “Structural Stability at Large and Small Scales: Shells and Soft Materials” with John Hutchinson, Abbott and James Lawrence Research Professor of Engineering at Harvard University.
Hutchinson received his undergraduate education in engineering mechanics at Lehigh University and his graduate education in mechanical engineering at Harvard. Hutchinson joined the Harvard faculty in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences in 1964. He is a fellow of the ASME, a member of the National Academy of Engineering and the National Academy of Sciences, and a foreign member of the Royal Society of London. There will be a reception immediately following the lecture.
Abstract: The stability of elastic solids and structures continues to be scientifically fascinating and technically important. Current research activity is focused on soft materials, revealing intriguing wrinkle patterns and instances of highly unstable behavior of compressed elastomers and gels. Relatively benign wrinkles can collapse to creases, folds or ridges, triggered by tiny imperfections, with close analogy to the dramatic collapses displayed when shell structures buckle. Shell buckling emerged as one of the most challenging problems in mechanics 50 years ago when it was intensively studied, and it remains a challenge with new efforts recently launched. An overview of recent developments in the area of nonlinear stability phenomena will be presented with non-specialists in mind. Commonalities between shells and soft materials will be highlighted augmented by numerous pictures of instability modes and patterns.
This lecture will be held on Monday, May 5, at 4 pm, in Humanities 1006.
Add comment