Notation

Symbol	Definition
	Time
	Period
	Mass matrix
	Element mass matrix
	Stiffness matrix
	Element stiffness matrix
	Geometric stiffness
	Element geometric stiffness
	Damping matrix
	Displacement vector
	Acceleration vector
	Mode shape
	Eigenvalue or buckling load factor
	Diagonal eigenvalue matrix
	Modal mass
	Modal stiffness
	Modal geometric stiffness
	Force or force vector
	Frequency
	Angular frequency
	Participation factor
	Effective mass
	Dynamic amplification
	Rayleigh damping coefficients
	Damping ratio

In general:

• scalar quantities are denoted by italics – e.g. mass or mass

• vector quantities are denoted by lower case upright characters – e.g. displacements

• matrix quantities are denoted by upper case, upright characters – e.g. stiffness