Buckling and imperfection sensitivity in the optimization of shell structures

The subject of the present study is the optimization of structures with geometrically nonlinear behaviour allowing the inclusion of instability phenomena and imperfection sensitivity in the structural design. The proposed optimization procedure is based on the methods of path following, direct computation of bifurcation and limit points and an accurate and efficient sensitivity analysis. The finite element method is used for the structural analysis. These techniques are used together with mathematical programming schemes and methods of computer-aided geometric, design.