Upper bound limit analysis using the weak form quadrature element method

Limit analysis is a useful tool for design and safety assessment of structures in civil and geotechnical engineering. In the present study, a newly developed high order algorithm-the weak form quadrature element method is reformulated for upper bound limit analysis. The dual formulations of the kinematic theorem are employed with the nodal stresses chosen as the optimization variables. The weak form equilibrium constraint is numerically...