Abstract
A systematic approach to the study of normal modes and frequencies of disordered periodic rods is presented within a new transfer matrix framework proposed earlier by the authors. The normal frequency structure and mode localization of multiply-disorder periodic rods are investigated. The Monte Carlo and the perturbation method are applied to study the effects of material parameter uncertainties on normal modes and frequencies of randomly-disordered periodic rods. Some intricate aspects are investigated statistically, and it is shown that for this strongly-coupled elastic system, multiple and/or random disorders lead to more localized modes in or near stop-bands in a more complex way. In addition, high frequency wave localization is a typical feature of such a strongly-coupled but randomly-disordered periodic rod system.