Limit analysis is a

structural analysis Structural analysis is a branch of Solid Mechanics which uses simplified models for solids like bars, beams and shells for engineering decision making. Its main objective is to determine the effect of loads on the physical structures and thei ...

field which is dedicated to the development of efficient methods to directly determine estimates of the collapse load of a given structural model without resorting to iterative or incremental analysis. For this purpose, the field of limit analysis is based on a set of theorems, referred to as limit theorems, which are a set of theorems based on the

law of conservation of energy In physics and chemistry, the law of conservation of energy states that the total energy of an isolated system remains constant; it is said to be ''conserved'' over time. This law, first proposed and tested by Émilie du Châtelet, means that ...

that state properties regarding stresses and strains, lower and upper-bound limits for the collapse load and the exact collapse load.

Software for limit analysis

OPTUM G2
(2014-) General purpose software for geotechnical applications in 2D (also includes elastoplasticity, seepage, consolidation, staged construction, tunneling, and other relevant geotechnical analysis types).
OPTUM G3
(2018-) General purpose software for geotechnical applications in 3D (also includes other relevant geotechnical analysis types).
OPTUM CS (Concrete Solutions)
(2019-) 3D design and analysis software for both pre-cast and in-situ concrete (also includes elastoplasticity).
OPTUM MP
(2019-) Free 2D concrete slab design and analysis software.
LimitState:GEO
(2008-) General purpose geotechnical software limit analysis application. Uses discontinuity layout optimization.
LimitState:SLAB
(2015-) Limit analysis software application for slabs. Uses discontinuity layout optimization.

References

* Structural analysis {{Civil-engineering-stub