Discontinuity layout optimization

Discontinuity layout optimization (DLO) is an engineering analysis procedure which can be used to directly establish the amount of load that can be carried by a solid or structure prior to collapse.

In the latter case the objective of the mathematical optimization problem is to minimize the internal energy dissipated along discontinuities, subject to nodal compatibility constraints.

This can be solved using efficient linear programming techniques and, when combined with an algorithm originally developed for truss layout optimization problems,[1] it has been found that modern computer power can be used to directly search through very large numbers of different failure mechanism topologies (up to approx.

Additionally, when general purpose finite element programs are used to analyse the collapse state often relatively complex non-linear solvers are required, in contrast to the simpler linear programming solvers generally required in the case of DLO.

Compared with non-linear FEM, DLO has the following advantages and disadvantages: Advantages Disadvantages DLO is perhaps most usefully applied to engineering problems where traditional hand calculations are difficult, or simplify the problem too much, but where recourse to more complex non-linear FEM is not justified.