SEM Handbook of Experimental Structural Dynamics stands as a comprehensive overview and reference for its subject, applicable to workers in research, product design and manufacture, and practice. The Handbook is devoted primarily to the areas of structural mechanics served by the Society for Experimental Mechanics IMAC community, such as modal analysis, rotating machinery, structural health monitoring, shock and vibration, sensors and instrumentation, aeroelasticity, ground testing, finite element techniques, model updating, sensitivity analysis, verification and validation, experimental dynamics sub-structuring, quantification of margin and uncertainty, and testing of civil infrastructure. Chapters offer comprehensive, detailed coverage of decades of scientific and technologic advance and all demonstrate an experimental perspective. Several sections specifically discuss the various types of experimental testing and common practices utilized in the automotive, aerospace, and civil structures industries as well as in the design/manufacture of sports equipment.

Contributions present important theory behind relevant experimental methods as well as application and technology. Topical authors emphasize and dissect proven methods and offer detail beyond a simple review of the literature. Additionally, chapters cover practical needs of scientists and engineers who are new to the field. In most cases, neither the pertinent theory nor, in particular, the practical issues have been presented formally in an academic textbook. Each chapter in the Handbook represents a ’must read’ for someone new to the subject or for someone returning to the field after an absence. Reference lists in each chapter consist of the seminal papers in the literature.