Energy Principles and Variational Methods in Applied Mechanics

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.