Stability Theory

This book describes a unified theory of stability for systems of rigid bodies with finite degrees of freedom and for continuous elastic bodies with infinite degrees of freedom. This involves extending the direct method of Lyapunov so that it can be used to evaluate the stability of continuous elastic bodies. Special attention has also been paid to a dynamical treatment of the stability of these bodies, and the existence of nonconservative follower forces has been taken into account. For this second edition the author has fully revised and updated his material; in particular, the section on elastomechanics has been completely rewritten to include the major developments which have taken place in this area. Exercises for the reader have been added at the end of each chapter.