Variational and Classical Methods for Limit Load Analysis of Inhomogeneous Media

Abstract

The load carrying capacity of a component or structure with varying material properties (inhomogeneous) is investigated using various lower- and upper-bound limit load multipliers in the context of variational principles. In order to evaluate the different limit load multipliers, the elastic modulus adjustment procedure is used to obtain statically admissible stress and kinematically admissible strain fields. The proposed upper and lower bound limit load estimates are compared with the results obtained from inelastic finite element analysis for two- and three-dimensional geometries.