On optimal design of rigid plastic beams with additional supports in the case of impulsive loading

A rigid plastic beam under implusive loading is considered. In order to increase the stiffness of the beam, some additional supports are applied. The locations of these supports must be selected so as to minimize the maximal permanent deflection of the beam. This problem is solved with the aid of the optimal control theory of distributed parameter systems. Optimality conditions are deduced. The case where the problem is self-conjugate is examined. An example is given.