Report Number: CS-TR-65-25
Institution: Stanford University, Department of Computer Science
Title: Yield-point load determination by nonlinear programming
Author: Hodge, Philip G. Jr.
Date: June 1965
Abstract: The determination of the yield-point load of a perfectly plastic structure can be formulated as a nonlinear programming problem by means of the theorems of limit analysis. This formulation is discussed in general terms and then applied to the problem of a curved beam. Recent results in the theory of nonlinear programming are called upon to solve typical problems for straight and curved beams. The theory of limit analysis enables intermediate answers to be given a physical interpretation in terms of upper and lower bounds on the yield-point load. The paper closes with some indication of how the method may be generalized to more complex problems of plastic yield-point load determination.
http://i.stanford.edu/pub/cstr/reports/cs/tr/65/25/CS-TR-65-25.pdf