Teaching energy methods in a final year course on mechanics of materials

Now that computer power is so readily available, engineers may contemplate design models of far greater sophistication than previously. When a design analysis task involves stress and deformation analysis, the energy (or variational) principles of mechanics provide such a powerful methodology for the formulation of complex models that it is important for such topics to be introduced to undergraduates. In this paper, the structure and underlying philosophy of a one term package suitable for final year mechanical engineering students is discussed.