There are many books on finite element methods but very few give more than a brief description of their application to structural vibration analysis. I have given lecture courses on this topic to undergraduates, postgraduates and those seeking post experience training for many years. Being unable to recommend a single suitable text led me to write this book.

The book assumes no previous knowledge of finite element methods. However, those with a knowledge of static finite element analysis will find a very large proportion of the book useful. It is written in such a way that it can be used by Aeronautical, Civil, Mechanical and Structural Engineers as well as Naval Architects. References are given to applications in these fields.

The text has been written in modular style. This will facilitate its use for courses of varying length and level. A prior knowledge of strength of materials and fundamentals of vibration is assumed. Mathematically, there is a need to be able to differentiate and integrate polynomials and trigonometric functions. Algebraic manipulation is used extensively but only an elementary knowledge of vector methods is required. A knowledge of matrix analysis is essential. The reader should be able to add, subtract, multiply, transpose, differentiate and integrate matrices. Methods of solving linear equations and the existence of a matrix inverse is a prerequisite and the evaluation of determinants is also required.

Chapter 1 deals with methods of formulating the equations of motion of a dynamical system.