Shape optimization of elasto-plastic bodies. (Q1771819)

A plane small strain problem is considered for a bounded body obeying a specific nonlinear generalized Hooke's law. A part of the boundary, where the body is fixed, is variable within certain set of admissible curves. This part has to be found, so that a cost functional attains its minimal value. Two examples of the cost functional are presented: (i) the total potential energy and (ii) \(L^2\)-distance from a given displacement field. The existence of such an optimal boundary is proven. Piecewise linear finite element approximations are proposed for both the variable part of the boundary and for the displacements field. Finally, a convergence theorem is proven.