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This article studies how right-angled 90 degrees elbows modify the resonance properties of labyrinths. The resonance properties are evaluated by considering the dispersion curves obtained by performing a band structure calculation. The response to the bandgaps width and positions in the presence of one, then two and finally a large number of elbows has then been studied to quantify the influence of the path tortuosity on the modal response of the labyrinth's geometry. The end-goal is to provide the elementary understanding tools leading to more refined predictive models for labyrinthine acoustic metamaterials (LAM). • The resonance properties of a labyrinth, 90 degrees turns, are studied. • The study is in function of basic features by considering the dispersion curves. • The dispersion curves are obtained with finite element tools. • It is shown how the resonance properties are modified. • It is shown that the definition itself of a total length is tricky. • The presence of elbows modifies the effective total length of the labyrinth. • One simply cannot take the total length of the equivalent straight path to predict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The decision of the Hoge Raad was based on the following facts: On 9 April 1992, the Plaintiff allowed her five-year-old daughter to play outside. Whilst playing in the residential area in front of the Plaintiff's property, the daughter was hit on the head by a taxi-bus reversing illegally. A neighbour saw the incident and immediately informed the Plaintiff who, at this time, was in the house and had not witnessed the accident herself. After notifying the emergency doctor, the Plaintiff then attended the victim who was lying on her stomach with her face towards the ground. At first, the Plaintiff believed there to be a pool of vomit beside her child. As she attempted to turn its head with her hand, however, she realised that the "vomit" was in fact her child's brain and that, at this point, her hand was completely inside its skull. In consequence, the Plaintiff suffered severe psychological trauma. Despite undergoing therapy a number of times, the Plaintiff remains in a stagnating process of grief. She suffers serious depressions and a post-traumatic disorder which causes her to relive the confrontation with her dead daughter time and again. The Plaintiff demanded compensation from the insurance company of the taxi bus driver, who had since been convicted in criminal proceedings. She claimed both pecuniary damages (costs of therapy, medical expenses and legal costs) amounting to 5,800 gilders (approx. 2,600 euros) and appropriate compensation for non-pecuniary loss amounting to 100,000 gilders (approx. 45,000 euros). The claim was dismissed by the Rechtbank Alkmaar. By contrast, the Gerechtshof Amsterdam admitted the claim in principle but set damages for pain and suffering at 30,000 gilders (approx. 13,500 euros). The Hoge Raad upheld this judgment dismissing the appeals both of the Plaintiff (i.e. the refusal to award damages for pain and suffering amounting to 70,000 gilders) and of the Defendant. In its judgment, the court drew a distinction between the... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]