Introduction to Structural Dynamics: List of Symbols

This textbook provides the student of aerospace, civil, or mechanical engineering with all the fundamentals of linear structural dynamics and scattered discussions of nonlinear structural dynamics. It is designed to be used primarily for a first-year graduate course. This textbook is a departure from the usual presentation of this material in two important respects. First, descriptions of system dynamics throughout are based on the simpler-to-use Lagrange equations of motion. Second, no organizational distinction is made between single and multiple degree of freedom systems. In support of those two choices, the first three chapters review the needed skills in dynamics and finite element structural analysis. The remainder of the textbook is organized mostly on the basis of first writing structural system equations of motion, and then solving those equations. The modal method of solution is emphasized, but other approaches are also considered. This textbook covers more material than can reasonably be taught in one semester. Topics that can be put off for later study are generally placed in sections designated by double asterisks or in endnotes. The final two chapters can also be deferred for later study. The textbook contains numerous example problems and end-of-chapter exercises.