Limit analysis of frames involving unilateral supports with frictional contact

We consider the classical limit analysis problem of frame structures made up of rigid perfectly plastic members and involving some supports in unilateral frictional contact with the ground. A direct formulation as a mixed complementarity problem (MCP) is used. For the Coulomb case, which forms the focus of this paper, the corresponding MCP may admit multiple upper bound collapse load solutions. In order to identify the least upper bound solution, we propose two algorithms. The first one attempts to enumerate the possible multiple solutions, or at least map the solution space if the solutions are connected. The second scheme tries to find the least upper bound by directly formulating and solving a single nonconvex optimization problem, known in the literature as a mathematical program with equilibrium constraints (MPEC). Two simple examples are provided to illustrate application of these approaches. They also serve to highlight some key features of such structures.