Plastic limit analysis, mathematical programming and GAMS

This paper outlines the use of the mathematical programming modelling language GAMS to solve plastic limit analysis problems. After a review of the close link between limit analysis and mathematical programming, two simple structures are analyzed to impart a flavour of the powerful GAMS language. These examples also serve to show that GAMS can provide a framework for expressing efficiently and transparently the algebraic structural plasticity information contained in plastic analysis models. It is suggested that such modelling languages can play a significant role in promoting the use of mathematical programming methods by engineers for solving engineering plasticity problems.