An optimality criteria approach for the stiffness design problem is developed for the case of two elastic bodies in frictionless contact. The contact problem is analyzed by appending the nonpenetration constraint to the system potential energy. Necessary and sufficient conditions for stiffness maximization are derived. A computational method for design problem solution is developed and numerical results for a beam on a foundation are displayed.

Issue Section:
Design Automation Papers
Topics:
Design, Stiffness, Computational methods, Contact mechanics, Potential energy
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Copyright © 1982
 by ASME
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