An Introduction to Modern Variational Techniques in Mechanics and Engineering

[The book has] many examples and applications throughout the chapters.... It is intended to be only a suggestive exposition for graduate and senior undergraduate students in engineering, applied mathematics and physics.... The book should be useful for students in these quoted areas and those people with some knowledge in single-integral variational problems. -Mathematical Reviews

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. -Bulletin of Belgian Mathematical Society