Variational and boundary integral equation techniques are two of the most useful methods for solving time-dependent problems described by systems of equations of the form 2 ? u = Au, 2 ?t 2 where u = u(x,t) is a vector-valued function, x is a point in a domain inR or 3 R,and A is a linear elliptic di?erential operator. To facilitate a better und- standing of these two types of methods, below we propose to illustrate their mechanisms in action on a speci?c mathematical model rather than in a more impersonal abstract setting. For this purpose, we have chosen the hyperbolic system of partial di?erential equations governing the nonstationary bending of elastic plates with transverse shear deformation. The reason for our choice is twofold. On the one hand, in a certain sense this is a "hybrid" system, c- sistingofthreeequationsforthreeunknownfunctionsinonlytwoindependent variables, which makes it more unusual-and thereby more interesting to the analyst-than other systems arising in solid mechanics. On the other hand, this particular plate model has received very little attention compared to the so-called classical one, based on Kirchho?'s simplifying hypotheses, although, as acknowledged by practitioners, it represents a substantial re?nement of the latter and therefore needs a rigorous discussion of the existence, uniqueness, and continuous dependence of its solution on the data before any construction of numerical approximation algorithms can be contemplated.

Mathematical models of deformation of elastic plates are used by applied mathematicians and engineers in connection with a wide range of practical applications, from microchip production to the construction of skyscrapers and aircraft. This book employs two important analytic techniques to solve the fundamental boundary value problems for the theory of plates with transverse shear deformation, which offers a more complete picture of the physical process of bending than Kirchhoff's classical one.

The first method transfers the ellipticity of the governing system to the boundary, leading to singular integral equations on the contour of the domain. These equations, established on the basis of the properties of suitable layer potentials, are then solved in spaces of smooth (Hoelder continuous and Hoelder continuously differentiable) functions.

The second technique rewrites the differential system in terms of complex variables and fully integrates it, expressing the solution as a combination of complex analytic potentials.

The last chapter develops a generalized Fourier series method closely connected with the structure of the system, which can be used to compute approximate solutions. The numerical results generated as an illustration for the interior Dirichlet problem are accompanied by remarks regarding the efficiency and accuracy of the procedure.

The presentation of the material is detailed and self-contained, making Mathematical Methods for Elastic Plates accessible to researchers and graduate students with a basic knowledge of advanced calculus.