Dynamics of Structures: Theory and Applications to Earthquake Engineering (2nd Edition)

Rating:
Summary: Good Start for understanding Subject
Review: Book is well suited for individuals who want to gain some understanding of dynamics as applied to structural systems. However, needs more material on how structural dynamics can be applied to computer applications. Still one of the better books you can buy on this subject.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent introduction to the structural dynamics.
Review: I've been a seismic engineer for 9 years now. I started my master's degree in Earthquake Engineering back in 1993, in Okayama, Japan.

For the entry exam to the program, my professor recommended me 3 books: Structural Dynamics, by M. Paz, Dynamics of Structures, by Penzien and Clough, and this one. The book by Penzien was too difficult to master in the 3 months that I had for studying, and Paz's tome lacked some in-deep knowledge. Chopra's book was right what I needed for a quick and complete introduction to Dynamics, specially for the short time I had.

All three updated versions of the books reside in my desk's shelf. But everytime that I'm asked by any young engineer in dire need of a quick introduction to this particular field, I heartily recommend this one.

Must keep in mind that the book by Clough is by far the most complete of the three and you'll definetely get more mileage for your hard earned cash, and Paz's book offers a more down-to-earth application of the subject to the seismic design of structures.

Rating:
Summary: good textbook
Review: its a great text for an advanced -sr. year or above-class. as a geotechnical engineer, i found it very readable.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent book
Review: This book comprehensively covers structural dynamics and extends it to earthquake engineering applications (as claimed by the title). Very readable,easy to follow and has good example problems.