Optimization of Axisymmetric Membrane Shells Against Brittle Fracture

The questions investigated in this paper are related to an important class of problems of optimal design of structures against brittle fracture. The primary problem of axisymmetric shell optimization under fracture mechanics constraint is formulated as the weight (volume of the shell material) minimization under stress intensity constraints. Considered problems are characterized by incomplete information concerning crack size, crack location and its orientation. Taking into account the factor of incomplete information the paper presents the formulation of optimal shell design problem based on minimax (guaranteed) approach and provides some results of analytical investigation for thin-walled shells with through cracks.