《C3 optimal plastic design of beams with unspecified action or reactions》.pdfVIP

CHAPTER THREE Optimal Plastic Design of Beams with Unspecified Actions or Reactions 3.1 PRELIMINARY REMARKS Optimization of unspecified forces illustrates some interesting aspects of op- timal design. Even when the specific cost function is convex, a problem with movable supports becomes usually non-convex and hence all solutions satis- fying the necessary conditions for optimality must be investigated. Moreover, some segments of the beam may take on a zero cross-section in the optimal solution (see Fig.