The subject of random vibrations of elastic systems has gained, over the
past decades, great importance, specifically due to its relevance to
technical problems in hydro- and aero-mechanics. Such problems involve
aircraft, rockets and oil-drilling platforms; elastic vibrations of
structures caused by acoustic radiation of a jet stream and by seismic
disturbances must also be included. Appli- cations of the theory of
random vibrations are indeed numerous and the development of this theory
poses a challenge to mathematicians, mechanicists and engineers.
Therefore, a book on random vibrations by a leading authority such as
Dr. V.V. Bolotin must be very welcome to anybody working in this field.
It is not surprising that efforts were soon made to have the book
translated into English. With pleasure I acknowledge the co-operation of
the very competent translater, I Shenkman; of Mrs. C. Jones, who typeJ
the first draft; and of Th. Brunsting, P. Keskikiikonen and R. Piche,
who read it and suggested where required, corrections and changes. I
express my gratitude to Martinus Nijhoff Publishers BV for entrust- ing
me with the task of editing the English translation, and to F.J. van
Drunen, publishers of N. Nijhoff Publishers BV, who so kindly supported
my endeavours. Special acknowledgement is due to Mrs. L. Strouth, Solid
Mechanics Division, University of Waterloo, for her competent and
efficient preparation of the final manuscript.
