Solution of the laminated plate discrete design problem

The design problem of laminated plate possessing the required stiffnesses i s analyzed under the condition that a given finite set of materials may be used to manufacture the plate. The mathematical formulation of the problem represents the convex combinations problem with the condition that the solu tion belongs to a finite set. This problem is called a discrete convex comb inations problem. The algorithm for constructing the general solution (the set of all possible solutions) of the problem is proposed. The algorithm ca n be used for a numerical solution of the problem. (C) 2000 Elsevier Scienc e Ltd. All rights reserved.