Some aspects of the variational principles problem in elasticity (Q1091166)

In this survey article the author considers the general problem of describing the infinitesimal and finite elasticity in terms of the variational principles of mechanics of Hamilton type. The article contains very interesting and subtle historical and motivational aspects of the variational analysis of the subject, in which the Author's opus has played a prominent role. This is an important paper written as an opening address for ''Variational methods in engineering'', Proc. 2nd Int. Conf., Southampton/Engl. (1985; Zbl 0618.00010).