Some developments in limit analysis solutions of structures

This paper summarizes some developments in limit analysis solutions of structures based on the results obtained by the authors and their associates and students over the past ten years. Plates are first considered. Shells are then treated, including circular cylindrical shells, conical shells and the combined shells. Some new methods for limit analysis are the next subjects with the emphasis on the weighted residual method (WRM) and some numerical methods. Finally the problem of brittle plastic material which is a more general model of limit analysis is taken into account. As a conclusion, the analytical methods of limit analysis remain of value to complement the numerical approaches which are more effective for complicated structures and loading conditions.