Vibrations, Modal Analysis and Mechanical Systems

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the search for textbooks or resources on vibrations and modal analysis that are specifically oriented towards mechanical engineering, as opposed to civil engineering. Participants express a desire for materials that connect theoretical concepts with practical mechanical systems.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses dissatisfaction with existing textbooks, noting that many examples focus on civil engineering rather than mechanical systems.
  • Another participant recommends "Mechanics of Machines Ver. 2.1" as a suitable resource that emphasizes mechanical orientation and includes chapters on vibrations and modal analysis.
  • Some participants suggest other texts, such as those by David Morin and Howard Georgi, but note that these are more focused on continuous waves and physics rather than discrete models in mechanical engineering.
  • A later reply highlights "Practical Machinery Vibration Analysis and Predictive Maintenance" as an excellent resource for vibration analysis.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the need for resources that bridge theoretical models and practical applications in mechanical engineering, but there is no consensus on specific texts that meet these criteria. Multiple competing views on suitable resources remain.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express limitations in existing texts, particularly regarding their focus on civil engineering applications and schematic representations without practical mechanical context.

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TL;DR
Looking for book, and example problems in modal analysis of mechanical systems.
Hello

I have used and enjoyed the textbook: "Theory of Vibrations with Applications," by William Thomson

However, many of the examples there are more civil engineering than mechanical.
There are many good examples of "buildings" under vibrations (good examples, but civil, nonetheless)

The few "ideal" problems are masses and springs and dashpots for general vibrations and modal analysis
(but no effort is made to relate these schematic and ideal examples to real "mechanical" systems.

Can anyone suggest a textbook (or source) that is as close as possible to Thomson's book but with examples from MECHANICAL engineering?

Or a text that does not merely present schematics of masses, dashpots and springs; but maps them to mechanical (not civil) systems?

Perhaps a text that does all the standarda mass, dashpot, rotary disks, springs, etc, but makes the leap by presenting a mechancial system that can be modeled that way. For, right now, most books in mechanical vibrations really seem to me to be books on civil engineering vibrations or schematic examples

t
 
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Go to Academia.edu and look for Mechanics of Machines Ver. 2.1. It is a free textbook available for download. It is decidedly mechanical in orientation, and the last three chapters are devoted to vibrations with modal analysis prominently featured.
 
Dr.D said:
Go to Academia.edu and look for Mechanics of Machines Ver. 2.1. It is a free textbook available for download. It is decidedly mechanical in orientation, and the last three chapters are devoted to vibrations with modal analysis prominently featured.
That is perfect, Dr. D.

Thank you
 
BvU said:
Hi,

How about David Morin: Waves, Howard Georgi (both Harvard), or Fitzpatrick (Texas) ?

But browsing Thomson gave me the impression that one is a lot beefier ...
While those are interesting (I will read them, too), but they are more focused on continuous waves; and more from the perspective of physics and less mechanical engineering. I was really looking for a text that addressed discrete models in engineering and bridged the gap between schematic diagrams and what they really represent.

But thank you, anyway.
 
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Hi,
I know I am answering late, but I am answering for similar people:
This book is one of the very best books on vibration analysis that I have seen.
Practical Machinery Vibration Analysis and Predictive Maintenance.
 
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