Chaotic vibrations

Emphasizing the analysis of chaotic vibrations in physical and experimental systems, Chaotic Vibrations: An Introduction for Applied Scientists and Engineers makes the new mathematical ideas in nonlinear dynamics and chaos understandable and useful for engineers and scientists. It gives specific examples and applications of chaotic dynamics and is the only book to explain how to perform both computer and physical experiments in chaotic dynamics. Over 40 exmaples of chaotic systems are described. New ideas in dynamics such as Poincaré maps, fractal dimensions and Lyapunov exponents are explained and their use illustrated with specific examples. Coverage includes descriptions of how to recognize chaotic oscillations in physical experiments; mathematical models for chaos and physical systems in which chaos has been observed; non-mathematical descriptions of criteria for chaos; and the measurement of chaotic dynamics. The appendix offers a glossary of terms, twelve computer experiments, and a description of several demonstration experiments. An extensive guide to the literature, especially work relating to physical examples of chaotic vibrations, with over 200 references, it is included as well. Engineers, physicists, mathematicians, and others will find this detailed introduction a valuable guide to understanding chaotic vibrations and nonlinear dynamics. -- from dust jacket.