Structural optimization. Volume 2: Mathematical programming. With a contribution by M. I. Reitmann. Technical editor: W.H. Warner (Q1187723)

[The articles of this volume will not be indexed individually.] This book is a second volume of the treatise on structural optimization devoted to numerical methods with a strong emphasis on mathematical programming [Vol. 1: Optimality criteria, the authors and \textit{G. Sacchi} (1985; Zbl 0649.73042)]. The first volume was devoted to optimality criteria and solutions based on them. This volume, through its examples, brings us closer to the many practical applications of optimization techniques. The book contains ten chapters starting from Chapter 10 because it is the second volume of the treaties. Chapter 10 comprises of an introduction to mathematical programming including dual problems and available computer programs. Chapter 11 contains matrix modeling of a structure including adjoint equations of kinematics and statics, constitutive relations and catalogue of finite elements. Chapter 12 presents the optimization of elastic structures including the direct nonlinear programming and sequential linear programming approaches. Chapter 13 contains optimization of plastic structures including limit load analysis and optimal plastic design of truss and frame structures. Chapter 14 deals with optimization of shells and plates. Two types of shell optimization problems are distinguished: a) for a given geometry of the mid-surface when only the thickness of shell or the reinforcement is to be optimized and b) when the shape of the mid-surface is to be optimized subject to constraints on the distribution of thickness or reinforcement (or both). Chapter 15 contains optimal design of elastic frame structures including skeletal structures with special emphasis to tanker transverse web frames based on nonlinear programming. Chapter 16 presents the applications of geometric programming to structural design. The unconstrained and constrained geometric programming methods are discussed. Chapter 17 deals with the applications of dynamic programming based on Bellman's principle of optimality in optimum structural design. Chapter 18 contains multiobjective structural optimization including problem formulation, Pareto optimal and efficient solutions. Chapter 19 contains a brief description of other optimal design methods namely: multilevel optimization and decomposition techniques, optimal design for plastic shakedown, optimization with discrete design variables, optimal design with random parameters and multicriteria reliability-based optimal structural design. This book contains little information on the historical development of optimization methods and solutions. Information of this kind may be found in previous books, for example, in the book of \textit{A. M. Brandt}, \textit{W. Dzieniszewski}, \textit{St. Jendo}, \textit{W. Marks}, \textit{St. Owczarek} and \textit{Z. Wasiutynski} [Criteria and methods of structural optimization (1986; Zbl 0609.49001)]. The reviewed book is the valuable book, covering a fairly wide range of topics and adressed to researchers and design engineers, but it may as well be used as an auxiliary text in teaching a graduate course in structural optimization.