Qualitative Theory in Structural Mechanics

Preface.- Overview.- Oscillatory Matrices, Kernels, and Properties of Eigenpairs.- Qualitative Properties of Vibration and Static Deformation Associated with Discrete Systems of Strings and Bars.- Qualitative Properties of Vibration and Static Deformation Associated with Discrete Systems of Beams.- Qualitative Properties of Vibration and Static Deformation of the Sturm-Liouville System.- Qualitative Properties of Vibration and Static Deformation Associated with Continuous Systems of Beams.- Qualitative Properties of Vibration and Static Deformation of Repetitive Structures.- The Theory on the Existence of Solutions in Structural Mechanics.- Reference.- Index.

Dajun Wang received his B.Sc. degree in Applied Mechanics from Peking University, Beijing in 1956. He then began teaching at Peking University and became a professor at the Department of Mechanics and Engineering Science. In a career spanning over 60 years, Professor Wang has conducted in-depth research in a number of areas, including qualitative theories in structural mechanics, existence of solutions, engineering applications, nonlinear dynamic systems involving fluid-structure interactions, mechanical behaviors of ancient Chinese relics, etc. He has published two monographs and more than 160 papers in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings. In addition, he has been invited to deliver more than 150 technical lectures at many universities and research institutions around the world. His colleagues, both domestic and international, have spoken highly of his unified proof for the existence of solutions in structural theories and his theory on the validity of structural models. The results of related work have been referred to as "the two China theorems."

Qishen Wang received his B.Sc. degree in Applied Mechanics from Peking University in 1970, and is currently a Professor at the School of Physics and Electrical Engineering, Anqing Normal University. His research areas include qualitative theories in structural mechanics, inverse problems in vibration, and applied mathematics. Professor Wang has published one monograph and over 100 papers in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings. He received a special grant from the State Council of China for his exceptional scientific achievements.

Beichang (Bert) graduated from Peking University with a B.Sc. degree in Applied Mechanics in 1985 and received his M.Sc. degree in Solid Mechanics in 1988. He subsequently studied Computational Mechanics at Carnegie Mellon University and received his Ph.D. in 2004. He has worked in the industry for nearly one and a half decades, first as a senior