This book is devoted to the basic variational principles of mechanics, namely the Lagrange--Da (TM)Alembert differential variational principle and the Hamilton integral variational principle. These two variational principles form the basis of contemporary analytical mechanics, and from them the body of classical dynamics can be deductively derived as a part of physical theory.

In recent years variational techniques have evolved as powerful tools for the study of linear and nonlinear problems in conservative and nonconservative dynamical systems, as is emphasized in this book. Presented here are a wide range of possibilities for applying variational principles to numerous problems in analytical mechanics, including the Noether Theorem for finding conservation laws of conservative and nonconservative dynamical systems, the application of the Hamilton--Jacobi and field methods suitable for nonconservative dynamical systems, the variational approach to modern optimal control theory, and the application of variational methods to the stability and optimization of elastic rod theory.

Mathematical prerequisites are kept to a minimum, and the exposition is intended to be suggestive rather than mathematically rigorous. Each chapter begins with widely understood mathematical principles and unfolds systematically toward more advanced topics. Examples and novel applications are presented throughout to clarify and enhance the theory.

An Introduction to Modern Variational Techniques in Mechanics and Engineering will serve a broad audience of students, researchers, and professionals in analytical mechanics, applied variational calculus, optimal control, physics, and mechanical and aerospaceengineering. The book may be used in graduate and senior undergraduate dynamics courses in engineering, applied mathematics, and physics departments, or it may also serve as a self-study reference text.

This book is intended to be an introduction to elasticity theory. It is as sumed that the student, before reading this book, has had courses in me chanics (statics, dynamics) and strength of materials (mechanics of mate rials). It is written at a level for undergraduate and beginning graduate engineering students in mechanical, civil, or aerospace engineering. As a background in mathematics, readers are expected to have had courses in ad vanced calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations. Our experience in teaching elasticity theory to engineering students leads us to believe that the course must be problem-solving oriented. We believe that formulation and solution of the problems is at the heart of elasticity theory. 1 Of course orientation to problem-solving philosophy does not exclude the need to study fundamentals. By fundamentals we mean both mechanical concepts such as stress, deformation and strain, compatibility conditions, constitu tive relations, energy of deformation, and mathematical methods, such as partial differential equations, complex variable and variational methods, and numerical techniques. We are aware of many excellent books on elasticity, some of which are listed in the References. If we are to state what differentiates our book from other similar texts we could, besides the already stated problem-solving ori entation, list the following: study of deformations that are not necessarily small, selection of problems that we treat, and the use of Cartesian tensors only."

* Atanackovic has good track record with Birkhauser: his "Theory of Elasticity" book (4072-X) has been well reviewed. * Current text has received two excellent pre-pub reviews. * May be used as textbook in advanced undergrad/beginning grad advanced dynamics courses in engineering, physics, applied math departments. *Also useful as self-study reference for researchers and practitioners. * Many examples and novel applications throughout. Competitive literature---Meirovich, Goldstein---is outdated and does not include the synthesis of topics presented here.

This book is intended to be an introduction to elasticity theory. It is as sumed that the student, before reading this book, has had courses in me chanics (statics, dynamics) and strength of materials (mechanics of mate rials). It is written at a level for undergraduate and beginning graduate engineering students in mechanical, civil, or aerospace engineering. As a background in mathematics, readers are expected to have had courses in ad vanced calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations. Our experience in teaching elasticity theory to engineering students leads us to believe that the course must be problem-solving oriented. We believe that formulation and solution of the problems is at the heart of elasticity theory. 1 Of course orientation to problem-solving philosophy does not exclude the need to study fundamentals. By fundamentals we mean both mechanical concepts such as stress, deformation and strain, compatibility conditions, constitu tive relations, energy of deformation, and mathematical methods, such as partial differential equations, complex variable and variational methods, and numerical techniques. We are aware of many excellent books on elasticity, some of which are listed in the References. If we are to state what differentiates our book from other similar texts we could, besides the already stated problem-solving ori entation, list the following: study of deformations that are not necessarily small, selection of problems that we treat, and the use of Cartesian tensors only."