Applications of gauss's principle of least constraint to the nonlinear heat-transfer problem

Abstract

An approximate direct method for solving linear and nonlinear heat conduction problems, based on the Gauss's principle of least constraint is presented. In every particular case, the problem is reduced to the algebraic minimization of a quadratic form with respect to some complex of physical parameters. By the help of several concrete examples the efficiency and accuracy of this new method is demonstrated. © 1976.