Discretization of Structural Models

The previous Chapter develops a consistent set of theoretical concepts and expressions for the treatment of stability-affected structures, or—to be precise—physical models of such structures. The fundamental formulations are stated in an analytical continuum form, based on the consideration of energy and potential terms, and the relations of these to power and work during real and virtual displacement. The main result is a rather general energy-based equation for mechanics, Eq. ( 2.92 ), from which solutions are obtained.