The purpose of this monograph is threefold. First, mathematical models of the transient behavior of some or all of the state variables describing the motion of multiple-link flexible structures will be developed. The structures which we have in mind consist of finitely many interconnected flexible ele- ments such as strings, beams, plates and shells or combinations thereof and are representative of trusses, frames, robot arms, solar panels, antennae, deformable mirrors, etc., currently in use. For example, a typical subsys- tem found in almost all aircraft and space vehicles consists of beam,...