The presentment should be as simple as possible, but not a bit simpler. Albert Einstein Introduction The power of the variational approach in mechanics of solids and structures follows from its versatility: the approach is used both as a universal tool for describing physical relationships and as a basis for qualitative methods of analysis 1]. And there is yet another important advantage inherent in the variational approach the latter is a crystal clear, pure and unsophisticated source of ideas that help build and establish numerical techniques for mechanics. This circumstance was realized...

To our sons, Mike, Andrew, Alex, who did not inherit their fathers' level of interest in applied mechanics, but who became sophisticated in software development and in this regard surpassed their parents. A.P., V.S. Hard times came, the god5 got angry. Children do not behave themselves and everybody wishes to write a book. Ancient Babylonian inscription X Preface Preface to the English Edition The book you are reading is a translation from Russian into English. Within a pretty short term this book saw two editions in Russian. The authors received in spiring responses from readers that both...

The presentment should be as simple as possible, but not a bit simpler. Albert Einstein Introduction The power of the variational approach in mechanics of solids and structures follows from its versatility: the approach is used both as a universal tool for describing physical relationships and as a basis for qualitative methods of analysis 1]. And there is yet another important advantage inherent in the variational approach the latter is a crystal clear, pure and unsophisticated source of ideas that help build and establish numerical techniques for mechanics. This circumstance was realized...