Abstract: The functional transformations of variational principles in elasticity are classified as three patterns: Ⅰ relaxation pattern, Ⅱ augmented pattern and III equivalent pattern.On the basis of pattern Ⅲ, the generalized variational principles with several arbitrary parameters are formulated and their functionals are defined. They are: the generalized principle of single variable u with several parameters, the generalized principle of two variables u, σ with several parameters, the generalized principle of two variables u, ε with several parameters, and the generalized principle of three veriables u, ε, σ with several parameters. From these principles, a series of new forms of equivalent functionals can be obtained. When the values of these parameters are properly chosen, a series of finite element models can be formulated.In this paper, the question of losing effectiveness for Lagrange multiplier method is also discussed. In order to "recover" effectiveness for multiplier method, a modified method, namely, the variable substitution and multiplier method, is proposed.