Professor in the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
The second area of interest is to apply recent results from nonlinear dynamical systems theory to problems of practical engineering importance. These include the nonlinear rolling motion of ships leading to capsize; buckling of axially-loaded structural components; aeroelastic flutter of aircraft panels at high supersonic speeds; vibration isolation based on nonlinear springs; energy harvesting; damage detection and structural health monitoring; and the dynamics of very flexible structures including solar sails and marine risers. Professor Virgin conducts mechanical experiments to complement these studies.
The flavor of much of this work is contained in the books:
Introduction to Experimental Nonlinear Dynamics, L.N. Virgin, Cambridge University Press, 2000.
Vibration of Axially Loaded Structures, L.N. Virgin, Cambridge University Press, 2007.
Appointments and Affiliations
- Professor in the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
Contact Information
- Office Location: 3393 Fciemas, Duke Box 90300, Durham, NC 27708
- Office Phone: (919) 660-5342
- Email Address: l.virgin@duke.edu
- Websites:
Education
- B.S. University of Manchester (United Kingdom), 1981
- M.S. Cardiff University (United Kingdom), 1982
- Ph.D. University of London (United Kingdom), 1986
Research Interests
Study of the behavior of nonlinear dynamical systems, including the investigation of the fundamental nature of nonlinear systems based on a mathematical description of their underlying equations of motion and the application of recent results from nonlinear dynamical systems theory to problems of practical engineering importance, especially in aerospace engineering.Awards, Honors, and Distinctions
- Frocht Award. Society for Experimental Mechanics. 2016
- International Gas Turbine Institute's (IGTI) J. P. Davis Award. American Society of Mechanical Engineers. 2012
Courses Taught
- ME 391: Undergraduate Projects in Mechanical Engineering
- ME 392: Undergraduate Projects in Mechanical Engineering
- ME 394: Engineering Undergraduate Fellows Projects
- ME 473: Aerospace Structures
- ME 490: Special Topics in Mechanical Engineering
- ME 491: Special Projects in Mechanical Engineering
- ME 492: Special Projects in Mechanical Engineering
- ME 493: Engineering Undergraduate Fellows Projects
- ME 494: Engineering Undergraduate Fellows Projects
- ME 555: Advanced Topics in Mechanical Engineering
- ME 592: Research Independent Study in Mechanical Engineering or Material Science
- ME 742: Nonlinear Mechanical Vibration
In the News
- Crushing Cylinders for Fun and Science (Jan 23, 2023 | Pratt School of Engineer…
- The Sky's the Limit for Duke Engineers Designing the Safest, Most Cost-Efficien…
Representative Publications
- Virgin, L. N., and P. S. Harvey. “A lateral–torsional buckling demonstration model using 3D printing.” Engineering Structures 280 (April 1, 2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2023.115682.
- Cooley, S. A., H. Yang, and L. N. Virgin. “3D-printing and cylinder buckling: challenges and opportunities.” Philosophical Transactions. Series A, Mathematical, Physical, and Engineering Sciences 381, no. 2244 (April 2023): 20220035. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2022.0035.
- Virgin, L. N. “On the elastic snapping of structural elements.” International Journal of Non-Linear Mechanics 149 (March 1, 2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnonlinmec.2022.104329.
- Cervi, C., S. T. Santillan, and L. N. Virgin. “Interrogating the Configuration Space of Postbuckled Beams.” Journal of Engineering Mechanics 149, no. 3 (March 1, 2023). https://doi.org/10.1061/JENMDT.EMENG-6839.
- Virgin, L. N. “A shear center demonstration model using 3D-printing.” International Journal of Mechanical Engineering Education 50, no. 3 (July 1, 2022): 739–48. https://doi.org/10.1177/03064190211057429.