Complex stiffness, observability, Bauschinger effect, modal synthesis, ergodicity, convolution, quaternion, Hamilton's Principle, inverse kinematics, hydraulic inductance, state transition matrix. These are just a handful of the approximately 250 topics explained in this book, many with thoroughly worked-out example problems. The Back Pocket Dynamicist provides a concise, but detailed development of the wide-ranging dynamics issues facing real engineers. It is based on the author's 35 years of experience of work in the field. Whether you are a practicing engineer, an engineering manager, or even a student, this book is sure to provide valuable mathematical and intuitive insights not provided elsewhere. Dynamics is not an easy field; many of history's greatest scientists struggled to develop a coherent theory. But the Back Pocket Dynamicist cuts through all the fluff and provides a straightforward, logical development that is highly readable.
The book begins with the topics of rigid body kinematics and dynamics, then moves on to discuss linear systems and transforms. Following this, there are chapters on transient response, frequency response, and techniques used to combine multibody dynamics (MBD) with finite element analysis (FEA). This leads into chapters on random vibration, control system dynamics, and fluid (hydraulic) systems. Finally, the 10th chapter discusses methods commonly used to predict fatigue life based on dynamic loading. This is indeed a wide range of topics. But to address the dynamic issues of machine design, at least some knowledge in all of them is often required. After reading The Back Pocket Dynamicist, you will have a new appreciation for the complex but elegant field of engineering dynamics
The Ten Steps (Chapters):
Chapter 1 - Rigid Body Kinematics
Chapter 2 - Rigid Body Dynamics
Chapter 3 - Linear Systems and Transforms
Chapter 4 - Transient Linear Systems
Chapter 5 - Frequency Response
Chapter 6 - Combining FEA and MBD
Chapter 7 - Random Vibration
Chapter 8 - Control System Dynamics
Chapter 9 - Hydraulic Systems
Chapter 10 - Dynamic Fatigue Prediction
Also included are four very informative appendices:
Appendix A - Lagrange Equations from Variations
Appendix B - The Euler Parameter Formulation
Appendix C - Relating Torque and Momentum
Appendix D - Formulation from the Lagrange Equation
