A mixed formulation and mixed finite elements for limit analysis

Abstract

Abstract A mixed variational principle for the limit analysis of rigid‐perfectly plastic continua is discussed, in which the nonlinear yield condition and the associated flow rule appear through a suitably defined ‘penalty’ function. A mixed finite element discrete formulation is derived and a sequential unconstrained minimization technique is devised, affording a complete (static and kinematic) solution. Several results are presented in both structural and soil mechanics, compared with previously available (exact and numerical) solutions.