Network‐topological formulation of analysis and design of rigid‐plastic framed structures

A unified network-topological approach to the formulation and solution of the analysis and minimum weight design of rigid-plastic structural systems is presented. It is shown that both analysis and design can be formulated using network concepts, but that, in contrast to elastic networks, the formulation results in a mathematical programming problem. Formulations based both on the static and kinematic theorems of plasticity are presented, and it is shown that duality guarantees that the two types of formulation yield identical results. The problem is first formulated on the basis of a simple definition of yielding, and is then generalized to the case where yielding is defined in terms of a yield surface.