Vibrations, Modal Analysis and Mechanical Systems

In summary, In general, the book "Theory of Vibrations with Applications" is a good resource, but it does not always provide examples that are relevant to mechanical engineering. There is a free textbook called " Mechanics of Machines Ver. 2.1" that is specifically oriented towards mechanical vibrations and is a great resource.
  • #1
Trying2Learn
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TL;DR Summary
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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  • #2
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.
 
  • #3
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
 
  • #4
  • #5
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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1. What is the difference between vibration and modal analysis?

Vibration refers to the mechanical oscillations of a system, while modal analysis is a technique used to study the dynamic characteristics of a system, such as its natural frequencies and mode shapes. In other words, vibration is the phenomenon, while modal analysis is a tool used to understand and analyze it.

2. How do vibrations affect mechanical systems?

Vibrations can have both positive and negative effects on mechanical systems. On one hand, they can cause wear and tear, fatigue, and even failure of components. On the other hand, they can also be harnessed for useful purposes, such as in musical instruments or to generate electricity through piezoelectric materials.

3. What is modal damping and why is it important?

Modal damping refers to the energy dissipation in a system's natural modes of vibration. It is important because it affects the system's response to external forces and can determine its stability and performance. A higher modal damping ratio indicates a higher level of energy dissipation, which can be desirable in certain applications.

4. How is modal analysis used in mechanical engineering?

Modal analysis is widely used in mechanical engineering for various purposes, such as design optimization, failure analysis, and troubleshooting. It can help engineers understand the dynamic behavior of a system, identify potential issues, and make informed decisions to improve its performance and reliability.

5. Can modal analysis be used for all types of mechanical systems?

Modal analysis can be applied to a wide range of mechanical systems, including simple structures like beams and plates, as well as complex systems like aircraft and spacecraft. However, it may not be suitable for highly nonlinear or time-varying systems, as it assumes linearity and time-invariance in its calculations.

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