On a Vujanovic-type variational principle with application to rod theory

By using an idea similar to one proposed by Vujanovic in 1965 we formulate a new variational principle for elastic rod equations. The variational prin ciple reproduces the equilibrium equations and linearized perturbation equa tions for a finitely deformed elastic rod. It is shown that the functional that we use could be connected with the weak formulation of the equilibrium equations. The principle is used for the study of bifurcation equations in connection with the method of Liapunov and Schmidt. Two examples are treat ed in detail.