Multiparameter Optimal Design of Plates and Shells

For global behavioral constraints, the problem of optimal design of plates and shells is formulated by assuming the design to be dependent upon a set of design parameters. Global minimum theorems are proved for some constraints, whereas for others only local extremum conditions are derived. A possibility of constructing some numerical algorithms by using the optima-lity condition and proper variational principle is discussed. The following behavioral constraints are considered: prescribed mean compliance measurer1 as the work of surface tractions, prescribed local deflection of linearly or nonlincarly elastic structure, given set of several free frequencies, prescribed safety factor for limit load of a plastic structure, any global constraint ex pressed as a surface integral with integrand depending on generalized stresses or strains.