Nonlinear behavior can be found in such highly disparate areas as population biology and aircraft wing flutter. Largely because of this extensive reach, nonlinear dynamics and chaos have become very active fields of study and research. This book uses an extended case study - an experiment in mechanical vibration - to introduce and explore the subject of nonlinear behavior and chaos. Beginning with a review of basic principles, the text then describes a cart-on-a-track oscillator and shows what happens when it is gradually subjected to greater excitation, thereby encountering the full spectrum of nonlinear behavior, from simple free decay to chaos. Experimental mechanical vibration is the unifying theme as the narrative evolves from a local, linear, largely analytical foundation toward the rich and often unpredictable world of nonlinearity. Advanced undergraduate and graduate students, as well as practising engineers, will find this book a lively, accessible introduction to the complex world of nonlinear dynamics.

A case study in mechanical vibration introduces the subject of nonlinear dynamics and chaos.
Reviews
"This well-written textbook...is highly recommended to researchers and students of nonlinear mechanical phenomena and should be available in all mathematics and mechanics libraries." Applied Mechanics Reviews
"A novel feature of the book is that it introduces many of the concepts using experimental examples...The book very nicely motivates a lot of the theoretical material from experimental results, and successfully brings across the idea that, far from being pathological, complicated dynamics and bifurcation behaviours are widespread even in simple nonlinear systems." Mathematical Reviews
"A unique book.... Novices to the field of nonlinear dynamics and chaos theory will find the book's introduction of concepts both easy to understand and presented in a physically meaningful manner. The book will also be useful for specialists in chaos and nonlinearity in the comparison of experiments with theoretical models.... This book is recommended for the libraries of both students and researches in nonlinear science." Physics Today
"The pleasant presentation of the field of nonlinear oscillations and chaos is continually reinforced by the good agreement that is obtained and shown between numerical and experimental results...this book will surely be of great interest to students, engineers, and researchers involved in the field." Measurement Science and Technology
"This book is highly recommended...clearly written with the novice in mind, and both engineers and physicists will find it worthwhile." SIAM Review



Book Information
ISBN 9780521779319
Author Lawrence N. Virgin
Format Paperback
Page Count 274
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 450g
Dimensions(mm) 235mm * 155mm * 18mm