Gustavo Colonnetti
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Gustavo Colonnetti (November 8, 1886 – March 20, 1968; born in Turin) was an Italian mathematician and engineer who made important contributions to continuum mechanics and strength of materials. He was a Rector of the Politecnico di Torino and President of CNR (Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche). His theories found important applications in modern techniques of construction, such as pre-stressed concrete.
He is remembered for Colonnetti's theorem (or Colonnetti's minimum principle) which states that in equilibrium the potential energy function W * is minimized.
Author of L’équilibre des corps déformables. Dunod, Paris, (1960)