A computational tool for determining optimum shapes of linearly elastic arches

This thesis deals with the development of reliable and efficient computational tools to analyze and find optimum shapes of linear elastic arch structures in static situations. The finite element method is used to determine the stress and displacements based on variable thickness C(0) continuity Timoshenko-Hencky beam theory. An automated analysis and optimization procedure is adopted which integrates finite element analysis, parametric cubic spline geometry definition, automatic mesh generation, sensitivity analysis and mathematical programming methods. Key words: Arch structures, static analysis, shape optimization, finite element method.