Book excerpt: An expanded new edition of the bestselling system dynamics book using the bond graph approach A major revision of the go-to resource for engineers facing the increasingly complex job of dynamic systems design, System Dynamics, Fifth Edition adds a completely new section on the control of mechatronic systems, while revising and clarifying material on modeling and computer simulation for a wide variety of physical systems. This new edition continues to offer comprehensive, up-to-date coverage of bond graphs, using these important design tools to help readers better understand the various components of dynamic systems. Covering all topics from the ground up, the book provides step-by-step guidance on how to leverage the power of bond graphs to model the flow of information and energy in all types of engineering systems. It begins with simple bond graph models of mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic systems, then goes on to explain in detail how to model more complex systems using computer simulations. Readers will find: New material and practical advice on the design of control systems using mathematical models New chapters on methods that go beyond predicting system behavior, including automatic control, observers, parameter studies for system design, and concept testing Coverage of electromechanical transducers and mechanical systems in plane motion Formulas for computing hydraulic compliances and modeling acoustic systems A discussion of state-of-the-art simulation tools such as MATLAB and bond graph software Complete with numerous figures and examples, System Dynamics, Fifth Edition is a must-have resource for anyone designing systems and components in the automotive, aerospace, and defense industries. It is also an excellent hands-on guide on the latest bond graph methods for readers unfamiliar with physical system modeling.