Energy Principles and Variational Methods in Applied Mechanics

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.

Nyckelord:

variational methods; variational method applications; variational methods in solid mechanics; variational methods in applied mechanics; solid mechanics; problems in solid mechanics; solving problems in solid mechanics; energy principles; energy principles in solid mechanics; applications for energy principles in structural mechanics; finite elements; finite element method; finite element method in applied engineering; finite element method in solid mechanics; finite element solutions for structural problems; finite element applications; variational method for solving problems involving bars; variational method for solving problems involving beams; variational method for solving torsion problems; variational method for solving engineering problems involving plane elasticity; variational method for solving problems involving trusses; variational method for solving problems involving plates; finite elements solutions for problems involving bars; finite element solutions for solving problems involving beams; finite element solutions for torsion problems; finite element solutions for engineering involving plane elasticity; finite element solutions for problems involving trusses; finite element solutions for problems involving plates; variational methods for solving engineering problems; variational methods for solving engineering problems involving torsion problems; variational methods for solving engineering problems involving trusses; variational methods for solving engineering problems involving beams; variational methods for solving engineering problems involving plates; variational method for solving engineering problems involving plane elasticity; variational method for solving engineering problems involving bars