On the nucleation and growth of kink and shear bands

Similarities and differences between the phenomena of kink banding in compressed layered structures and shear banding in compressed granular media are explored. Simple models are introduced for both, and the focus is directed onto how they can nucleate from the perfectly flat state. A convincing scenario is found for each in which a mode develops from an initial bifurcation into a periodic state, followed by rapid localization under falling...