A superposition principle in optimal plastic design for alternative loads

The paper is concerned with the optimal plastic design of sandwich beams, frames and trusses for alternative loading conditions. Upper and lower bounds for the optimal weight of a beam are derived, for single as well as for alternative loading conditions. These bounding theorems are used to establish a superposition principle. If no explicit bounds on the cross-sectional areas are prescribed, the optimal design for alternative loading conditions P₁ and P₂ can be obtained by superposition of the optimal designs for the single loading conditions and . If the cross-sections are to have at least given non-zero values, the principle furnishes upper and lower bounds to the optimal weight.The principle is illustrated by a simple example.