Dangers inherited in shells optimized with linear assumptions

This paper provides the background theory and results of an investigation into the dangers inherited in the shells optimized using linear elastic, small displacement, Reissner–Mindlin shell models with shape and/or size design variables. The various tools developed and utilized in this study are briefly described and include computational geometric modelling, automatic mesh generation, finite element analysis, design sensitivity analysis and mathematical programming procedures. In the subsequent studies, once the optimal shape and thickness distributions of the shell have been determined, the non-linear buckling loads of the initial and optimized shells are investigated using a geometrically non-linear analysis tool capable of dealing with complex load–displacement paths including snap-through and snap back.