The optimal design of structures with distinct geometrically non-linear behavior has attracted a great deal of interest in the last years mainly with respect to sizing for prescribed external loads. In the present contribution a method is proposed to maximize the critical load under certain constraints, e.g. for a given volume, allowing varying shape as well as cross-sections. The combination of direct computation of the critical load and path-following methods is integrated into a general optimization procedure consisting of mathematical programming techniques, sensitivity analysis and computer aided geometric design methods. The formulation includes imperfection sensitivity as an important part within the optimization process.     «

The optimal design of structures with distinct geometrically non-linear behavior has attracted a great deal of interest in the last years mainly with respect to sizing for prescribed external loads. In the present contribution a method is proposed to maximize the critical load under certain constraints, e.g. for a given volume, allowing varying shape as well as cross-sections. The combination of direct computation of the critical load and path-following methods is integrated into a general optim...     »