FEM-based structural optimization with respect to shakedown constraints

Abstract

In this paper, a mathematical programming formulation is presented for the structural optimization with respect to the shakedown analysis of 3-D perfectly plastic structures on basis of a finite element discretization. A new direct algorithm using plastic sensitivities is employed in solving this optimization formulation. The numerical procedure has been applied to carry out the shakedown analysis of pipe junctions under multi-loading systems. The computational effort of the new approach is much lower compared to so called derivative-free search methods. © 2002 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.