ANALYSIS OF THE ELASTICA WITH APPLICATIONS TO VIBRATION ISOLATION by Sophia Teresa Santillan Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science Duke University Date: Approved: Dr. Lawrence Virgin, Supervisor Dr. John Dolbow Dr. Linda Franzoni Dr. Josiah Knight Dr. Thomas Witelski Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science in the Graduate School of Duke University 2007