Optimal control of a variational inequality with applications to structural analysis. II. Local optimization of the stress in a beam. III. Optimal design of an elastic plate

Optimal design with respect to the variable thickness of an elastic beam with unilateral supports under the criterion of minimal value of the maximal stress is presented in Part I. A dual formulation of the state problem (in terms of bending moments) is used and the convergence of some approximations proved.In Part III the variable thickness of an elastic or elasto-plastic plate unilaterally supported on a part of its edge is optimized. For elastic plates with parallel edges a primal finite element model is applied and a convergence result obtained.