Automatic mesh refinement in limit analysis

A strategy for automatic mesh refinement in limit analysis is combined with a recently developed computational method. In the absence of estimates of the local error the strategy can be based on the deformations and on slack in the yield condition. The approach is tested on standard problems in plane strain, including the classical punch problem. Very accurate results are obtained with the use of moderate computational power. This way we obtain new and improved results for classical problems in limit analysis. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & S ons, Ltd.