Parametrical optimization of plastic cylindrical shells in the post-yield range

Abstract

An optimal design technique is developed for rigid-plastic cylindrical shells accounting for the moderately large deflections. The study is confined to sandwich shells subjected to the axial dead-load and to the internal pressure loading. The optimization problem is posed in the parametrical form, the parameters being certain constant quantities which should specify the internal load distribution as well as cross-sectional dimensions of the shell or it support positions. Necessary optimality conditions are established using the variational methods of the optimal control theory. As an example the optimal layout for a set of the rigid circular supports (stiffeners) is stated.