Pseudo-static shakedown analysis of structures using edge-based smoothed finite element method

Abstract

This study introduces a novel numerical procedure for conducting shakedown analysis on structures subjected to cyclic loads. The determination of safety load multipliers is achieved through the integration of the edgebased smoothed finite element method (ESFEM) and conic programming. By applying the smoothing technique, all constraints are satisfied in an average manner within the smoothing domains, as opposed to at numerous Gauss points in the Finite Element Method (FEM). This approach results in a reduction in the problem size and the number of variables. The formulated optimization problem associated with the standard form of second-order cone programming (SOCP) is addressed using highly efficient solvers. A series of benchmark examples is examined to demonstrate the computational efficacy of the proposed method.