Introduction to Structural Dynamics by Bruce K. Donaldson



Preface for the Student

No actual structure is rigid. All structures deform under the action of applied loads.

When the applied loads vary over time, so, too, do the deflections. The time-varying

deflections impart accelerations to the structure. These accelerations result in body

forces 1 called inertial loads. Since these inertia loads affect the deflections, there

is a feedback loop tying together the deflections and at least the inertial load part

of the total loads. When the applied loads result from the action of a surrounding

liquid, then the deflections determine all the applied dynamic loads. Therefore, unlike

static loads (i.e., slowly applied loads), differential equations based on Newton’s laws

are required to mathematically describe time-varying load–deflection interactions.

Inertial loads can also have the importance of being the largest load set acting on

parts of a structure, particularly if the structure is quite flexible.



Preface for the Instructor

This textbook is designed to be the basis for a one-semester course in structural

dynamics at the graduate level, with some extra material for later self-study. Using

this text for senior undergraduates is possible also if those students have had more

than one semester of exposure to rigid body dynamics and are well versed in the

basics of the linear, stiffness finite element method. This textbook is suitable for

structural dynamics courses in aerospace engineering and mechanical engineering.

It also can be used in civil engineering at the graduate level when the course focus is

on analysis rather than earthquake design. The first two chapters on dynamics should

be particularly helpful to civil engineers.


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