Definition:Logarithmic Decrement

Definition

Consider a physical system $S$ whose behaviour can be described with the second order ODE in the form:

$(1): \quad \dfrac {\d^2 x} {\d t^2} + 2 b \dfrac {\d x} {\d t} + a^2 x = 0$

for $a, b \in \R_{>0}$.

Let $b < a$, so as to make $S$ underdamped.

Let $T$ be the period of oscillation of $S$.

Let $x_1$ and $x_2$ be successive local maxima of $x$.

From Ratio of Successive Local Maxima for Underdamped Free Vibration:

$\dfrac {x_1} {x_2} = e^{b T}$

The logarithmic decrement of $S$ is defined as:

$\map \ln {\dfrac {x_1} {x_2} } = b T$

Sources

• 1972: George F. Simmons: Differential Equations ... (previous) ... (next): $\S 3.20$: Problem $(2)$