Variational Formulations in Mechanics: Theory and Applications

Variational methods have long been a fundamental tool in the development of mathematical physics. This is a particularly true in the field of mechanics, where they allow physical and geometrical features of the problem in question-such as kinematical and constitutive relations, initial and boundary conditions, including the description of discontinuities-as well as the relationsships among them, to be incorporated in one single expression. Very importantly, such formulations have the additional advantage of leading naturally to methods for the approximate computational solution of the underlyng problems as well as the study of existence and uniqueness of solutions and the estimation of errors incurred by numerical approximations.
This book contains seventeen articles authored by internationally renowned specialists who have devoted their research activities to the modelling and implementation of numerical methods for the solution of various problems of relevance in mechanics. Te common element to all papers presented in this book is the use of variational formulations and variational calculus.