Mechanical Vibrations (Dover Books on Engineering)

By J.P. Den Hartog and CHURCH MECHANIC

Book Overview

This classic textbook by J. P. Den Hartog, retired professor of mechanical engineering at MIT, reflects the author's unique ability to combine the scholarly insight of a distinguished scientist with the practical, problem-solving orientation of an experienced industrial engineer. Although mathematics plays a role in the subject, Den Hartog employs the simplest possible mathematical approaches. His lucid explanations of complex problems are presented in a direct style and supported by illustrative models. Numerous figures in the text enhance its value as a basic foundation in a field which Den Hartog calls "a necessary tool for almost every mechanical engineer." The author examines such topics as the kinematics of vibration (including harmonic motions and non-harmonic periodic motions), degrees of freedom, gyroscopic effects, relaxation oscillations, Rayleigh's method, natural frequencies of torsional vibration, Karman vortices, and systems with variable elasticity. Drawing on his experience as an engineer in private industry and in the U.S. Navy's Bureau of Ships, Den Hartog applies theory to practice, discussing the effects of vibrations on turbines, electrical machines, helicopter rotors and airplane wings, diesel engines and electrical transmission lines.
As a special aid to classroom work or self-study, this practical text includes an extensive selection of 233 problems and answers that test the student's mastery of every section of the book. In addition, a highly useful Appendix contains "A Collection of Formulas" for determining the load per inch deflection of linear springs, the load per radian rotation of rotational springs, the natural frequencies of simple systems, the longitudinal and torsional vibration of uniform beams, the transverse or bending vibrations of uniform beams, and the vibrations of rings, membranes, and plates.
When Mechanical Vibrations was first published in 1934, it was a pioneering work in a field which had just been introduced in America's technical schools. In fact, the author wrote it to assist him in teaching the subject at Harvard. "During the life of the book," he says, "from 1934 on, the art and science of engineering has grown at an astonishing rate and the subject of vibration has expanded with it." Professor Den Hartog's constant revisions have kept his book at the forefront of this vital subject, as useful today as its earlier versions were to students of the past.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0486647854
• ISBN13: 9780486647852
• Release Date: January 1985
• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Length: 464 Pages
• Weight: 1.12 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.4" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

A practical introduction that helps you "feel" the subject.

"Mechanical Vibration" is a great value for those interested in obtaining a "feel" for vibration phenomenon and theory. The book is pedagogically oriented and well-written, with the reader always in mind. It contains good basic coverage for both one and two degree-of-freedom systems. Some basic calculus and understanding of complex numbers is assumed. In addition, there is a lot of practical material on internal combustion engines, the balancing of rotating machinery, self-excited vibrations, and vibration tuning and management. Although the book is quite old, it remains a very nice introduction to the field. I only wish I had known about it when taking vibration class in college. It would have been a good supplement to the required text.

Excellent coverage of a difficult subject

Den Hartog covers an area that is difficult to understand with a minimum of calculus. A simpler explanation would be iaccurate.

Great engineering text on mechanical vibrations

I've seen several books on mechanical vibrations over the years, and this is the best by far - and the cheapest. Hartog covers the spectrum of mechanical vibrations as they are used in engineering with great in-depth explanations, detailed illustrations that help you visualize what is being discussed, and solved problems throughout the book. He just doesn't jump into what can sometimes be involved mathematics either. He always takes the time to show the details of any mathematics used in solving problems, although I recommend you understand calculus before starting out.

Excelent Book

This book really emphasizes the understanding of basic physical principles in solving vibration problems. Although first published in the early 30s, most of the contents are still up to date. The chapter on self-excited vibrations is great.

physics of mechanical vibrations

I feel the title "Physics of mechanical vibrations" would be more suitable for this book. The author justifies (by physical explaination) each and every mathematical result in the book. THe end of the book excercises are applicaiton oriented and author makes us to think and apply the techniques learned from the book to a real world problem. One can suppliment this book with Timoshenko's "Vibration problems in engineering". Both books are nice and explain the theory with practical applications.