Theory of Vibration with Applications

I used a previous edition as a student, and I used this edition as an instructor. I also had a copy on my desk at the GM Noise and Vibration Lab when I worked there, as did many of my colleagues. The text is best used to accompany lecture notes in a senior or first year graduate engineering course. When I used the 5th edition 10 years ago, it had just come out, and the price at the college bookstore was $140, which was very high for the time. Students howled about the price, which is probably the real reason for the mixed reviews.

This review is for the paperback fifth edition of this book. Alright, I have read so many negative reviews of this book here. So even though this book was recommended elsewhere I was slightly apprehensive in buying it. I have read only the first 2 chapters, but I am so overwhelmed that I thought I will write a review. My rating: excellent. This book will make you think and understand the subject. But it expects a certain level of mathematical and engineering maturity (not higher than undergraduate). The problem sets are excellent. When you sit and finish through the problems you really understand the topic. Lot of times I read the text twice and made sure that I understood the topic before starting the problems. But then I had to come back and refer again and surely I will figure out some missing information. It takes time but is very rewarding. Most of all this text doesn't assume that the readers are dumb - it expects that the readers can think. What do I mean that the book expects a certain mathematical and engineering maturity? I will give a couple of examples. In the introductory chapter it has a small section on decomposition of periodic motion into Fourier series. There it expects for you to know how to integrate Integral(cos mx cos nx dx) or that Cos A cos B = 1/2[Cos(A+B) - cos(A-B)]. In second chapter to find the effective mass of a simply supported beam with a point load in the middle, it expects you to know that the deflection of the beam can be written as y=y_max(3(x/l)-4(x/l)^3). I mean it will straight away write y=ymax... etc. No other intermediate steps. It will also just integrate this y_max(3(x/l)-4(x/l)^3) with respect to x and write the result as 0.4857 y_max or whatever value it is. It will expect that you know how to solve differential equation into characteristic equation and particular solution. It gives a proof for solving md^x/dt^2 + cdx/dt + kx = 0 but it is better for you to have some background in differential equation (again not more that undergraduate level) to fully understand it. What do I mean that the book will make you think? For example when discussing energy methods on simple harmonic motion, it will say that due to conservation of energy T1+U1 = T2+U2 where 1 and 2 denotes two different positions of the vibrating body. By choosing 1 to be the static equilibrium position and choosing U1=0 as the reference potential energy, and 2 be the position corresponding to max disp, we have T1+0 = 0+U2. Now it says that if the system is undergoing harmonic motion then, T1 and U2 are max values and the preceding equation give rise to T_max = U_max. And that this equation will lead directly to natural frequency. It is up to you to figure out that for simple harmonic motion, x is given by x = A sin(wt+phi), v = Aw cos(wt+phi), a = -Aw^2 sin(wt+phi). So when v = 0 it implies that cos (wt+phi) = 0 and that implies that sin(wt+phi) is +- 1 so x is max (also conversely). So T_max = 1/2*m*A*w^2 , since cos (wt+phi)=+-

Exact Version of text is exactly as expected. Came in perfect condition

Very well written and updated, I especially like the way the authors have implemented MATLAB scripts in many of the more advanced matrix methods. BUT, do not use JUST this book, theory is unclear in many cases, and the proof to many of the equations (Vibrations is very math intensive) is brief, too brief in some cases. This book could easily be 200 pages longer. The main advantages of this book are that it covers many topics in advanced vibrations and over 500 end of chapter problems, many of them of higher difficulty. In short, if you already have some skills in Vibrations, this is a great book, but if you're using this text as an Intro to Vibrations, use as backup a friendlier book, such as Steidel's to get revved up. I used 3 sources for my course! By the way, I recommend Schaum's Outline for Mechanical Vibrations, many good examples there.