Peter Avitabile is the Director of the Modal Analysis and Controls Laboratory at UMASS Lowell and Associate Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department. Pete joined the University in 1985 after having worked in industry for over 10 years. He received his B.S.M.E. from Manhattan College in 1974 and his M.S.M.E. at University of Rhode Island in 1982 and his Doctorate in Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Lowell in 1998. His industrial and university experience of over 30 years includes analytical and experimental modal analysis, signal processing and finite element modeling. His main area of research is structural dynamics specializing in the areas of modeling, testing and correlation of analytical and experimental models along with advanced applications for developing structural dynamic models. Pete has contributed many technical papers and articles for publication in Sound & Vibration magazine and at the International Modal Analysis Conferences as well as his "Modal Space" article series in the Experimental Techniques magazine published by the Society for Experimental Mechanics. He has also developed the multimedia format Modal Handbook on CD (a computer based training/reference guide which addresses the practical aspects of experimental modal testing).
PDF file (rev070504)

Some things you might be interested in reading

I have a series of articles explaining various aspects of modal analysis.

Go to Modal Space - In Our Own Little World for the articles.

So you want to know what correlation is all about.

I have a short presentation of the overall correlation process with some brief discussion and pictures overviewing the process. Take a quick look.

Try it to get a glimpse of the correlation process.

What is Modal Analysis anyway ???

I get asked this question all the time. I have a simple quick explanation of how structures vibrate that almost anyone will understand. Take a quick look. I hope it helps you understand modal analysis a little better.

Try it to understand modal analysis a little better.


A set of Power Point notes used for presentations at Northeastern University, MIT and University of Rhode Island in 2002 are contained here

And a set of notes overviewing some of the research applications in the MACL from 2002 is contained here

Some notes on the NSF Engineering Education effort on Dynamic Systems is contained here

For any information, e-mail at Peter_Avitabile@uml.edu

Peter Avitabile's Dynamic Systems Webpage

Back to MACL Homepage