Optimal shape of an elastic column on elastic foundation

By using Pontryagin's maximum principle we determine the shape of an elastic compressed column on elastic, Winkler type foundation. We assume that the column has clamped ends. The optimality conditions for the case of bimodal optimization are derived. It is shown that the optimal cross-sectional area function is determined from the solution of a nonlinear boundary value problem. In the special case of a compressed column with no foundation, the optimality condition and the solution obtained earlier are recovered. (c) 2005 Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.