An Introduction to Modern Variational Techniques in Mechanics and Engineering

Variational principles have great utility in solving problems in analytical mechanics. During recent years attention has been drawn to the wide area of possibilities they offer and variational techniques are applied as important tools for studying linear and nonlinear problems in conservative and nonconservative dynamical systems. This book discusses the basic variational principles of contemporary analytical mechanics, presents a wide range of possibilities for applying them, and solves numerous concrete examples.… The book is suitable for self-study, for graduate students in applied mathematics, physics, engineering, it can be used as a text in graduate and senior undergraduate courses, and researchers also can have a practical usage of it.