On Extending the Range of Applicability of the Limit Theorems

Abstract

It is commonly thought that the limit theorems of ideal plasticity are restricted to perfectly plastic material or structural behavior and to the requirement of no essential change in geometry. The present paper shows that the limit theorems are applicable to a broader class of phenomena and that the no essential geometry change requirement can be unduly restrictive. In particular, constant load elastic buckling and pullout of fibers from composite materials are both admissible limit phenomena and can be handled within the framework of limit analysis.