A systematic presentation of energy principles and variationalmethods The increasing use of numerical and computational methods inengineering and applied sciences has shed new light on theimportance of energy principles and variational methods. EnergyPrinciples and Variational Methods in Applied Mechanicsprovides a systematic and practical introduction to the use ofenergy principles, traditional variational methods, and the finiteelement method to the solution of engineering problems involvingbars, beams, torsion, plane elasticity, and plates. Beginning with a review of the basic equations of mechanics andthe concepts of work, energy, and topics from variational calculus,this book presents the virtual work and energy principles, energymethods of solid and structural mechanics, Hamilton'sprinciple for dynamical systems, and classical variational methodsof approximation. A unified approach, more general than that foundin most solid mechanics books, is used to introduce the finiteelement method. Also discussed are applications to beams andplates. Complete with more than 200 illustrations and tables, EnergyPrinciples and Variational Methods in Applied Mechanics, SecondEdition is a valuable book for students of aerospace, civil,mechanical, and applied mechanics; and engineers in design andanalysis groups in the aircraft, automobile, and civil engineeringstructures, as well as shipbuilding industries.

A comprehensive guide to using energy principles and variational methods for solving problems in solid mechanics This book provides a systematic, highly practical introduction to the use of energy principles, traditional variational methods, and the finite element method for the solution of engineering problems involving bars, beams, torsion, plane elasticity, trusses, and plates. It begins with a review of the basic equations of mechanics, the concepts of work and energy, and key topics from variational calculus. It presents virtual work and energy principles, energy methods of solid and structural mechanics, Hamilton’s principle for dynamical systems, and classical variational methods of approximation. And it takes a more unified approach than that found in most solid mechanics books, to introduce the finite element method. Featuring more than 200 illustrations and tables, this Third Edition has been extensively reorganized and contains much new material, including a new chapter devoted to the latest developments in functionally graded beams and plates. Offers clear and easy-to-follow descriptions of the concepts of work, energy, energy principles and variational methods Covers energy principles of solid and structural mechanics, traditional variational methods, the least-squares variational method, and the finite element, along with applications for each Provides an abundance of examples, in a problem-solving format, with descriptions of applications for equations derived in obtaining solutions to engineering structures Features end-of-the-chapter problems for course assignments, a Companion Website with a Solutions Manual, Instructor's Manual, figures, and more Energy Principles and Variational Methods in Applied Mechanics, Third Edition is both a superb text/reference for engineering students in aerospace, civil, mechanical, and applied mechanics, and a valuable working resource for engineers in design and analysis in the aircraft, automobile, civil engineering, and shipbuilding industries.

Integrated, modern treatment explores applications to dynamics of rigid bodies, analysis of elastic frames, general elastic theory, theory of plates and shells, theory of buckling, and theory of vibrations. Includes answers to problems. 1962 edition.

A practical introduction to the use of the finite-element method and variational methods to solve engineering problems about beams, bars, torsion, and plane elasticity. Includes a concise section on composite-material laminated plates and shells. Contains numerous examples, exercises, problems, and references.

This book reflects the strong connection between calculus of variations and the applications for which variational methods form the foundation.

This classic book covers the solution of differential equations in science and engineering in such as way as to provide an introduction for novices before progressing toward increasingly more difficult problems. The Method of Weighted Residuals and Variational Principles describes variational principles, including how to find them and how to use them to construct error bounds and create stationary principles. The book also illustrates how to use simple methods to find approximate solutions, shows how to use the finite element method for more complex problems, and provides detailed information on error bounds. Problem sets make this book ideal for self-study or as a course text.

The essential aim of this book is to consider a wide set of problems arising in the mathematical modeling of mechanical systems under unilateral constraints. In these investigations elastic and non-elastic deformations, friction and adhesion phenomena are taken into account. All the necessary mathematical tools are given: local boundary value problem formulations, construction of variational equations and inequalities and their transition to minimization problems, existence and uniqueness theorems, and variational transformations (Friedrichs and Young-Fenchel-Moreau) to dual and saddle-point search problems.

Resoundingly popular in its first edition, the second edition of Mechanics of Structures: Variational and Computational Methods promises to be even more so, with broader coverage, expanded discussions, and a streamlined presentation. The authors begin by describing the behavior of deformable solids through the differential equations for the strength of materials and the theory of elasticity. They next introduce variational principles, including mixed or generalized principles, and derive integral forms of the governing equations. Discussions then move to computational methods, including the finite element method, and these are developed to solve the differential and integral equations. New in the second edition: A one-dimensional introduction to the finite element method, complete with illustrations of numerical mesh refinement Expansion of the use of Galerkin's method. Discussion of recent developments in the theory of bending and torsion of thin-walled beams. An appendix summarizing the fundamental equations in differential and variational form Completely new treatment of stability, including detailed examples Discussion of the principal values of geometric properties and stresses Additional exercises As a textbook or as a reference, Mechanics of Structures builds a unified, variational foundation for structure mechanics, which in turn forms the basis for the computational solid mechanics so essential to modern engineering.

Two dramatically different philosophical approaches to classical mechanics were proposed during the 17th - 18th centuries. Newton developed his vectorial formulation that uses time-dependent differential equations of motion to relate vector observables like force and rate of change of momentum. Euler, Lagrange, Hamilton, and Jacobi, developed powerful alternative variational formulations based on the assumption that nature follows the principle of least action. These variational formulations now play a pivotal role in science and engineering.This book introduces variational principles and their application to classical mechanics. The relative merits of the intuitive Newtonian vectorial formulation, and the more powerful variational formulations are compared. Applications to a wide variety of topics illustrate the intellectual beauty, remarkable power, and broad scope provided by use of variational principles in physics.The second edition adds discussion of the use of variational principles applied to the following topics:(1) Systems subject to initial boundary conditions(2) The hierarchy of related formulations based on action, Lagrangian, Hamiltonian, and equations of motion, to systems that involve symmetries.(3) Non-conservative systems.(4) Variable-mass systems.(5) The General Theory of Relativity.Douglas Cline is a Professor of Physics in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York.