Complementarity Problems in Structural Engineering: An Overview

This paper summarizes the formulation of structural engineering problems concerned with inelastic phenomena that can be described in complementarity format. This mathematical construct can be transferred to the discretized version of the continuum problem by generalized variables. The evaluation of safety factors against collapse conditions, of primary deemed relevance for a safe and rational design in harmonized European Standards, can be performed in a consistent framework. The main features of these approaches and the relevant computational tools are revised.