Application of discontinuity layout optimization to metal shells and assemblies

Discontinuity Layout Optimization (DLO) provides a computationally efficient means of determining collapse loads and associated failure mechanisms across a wide spectrum of plasticity problems. The classical DLO method has focused separately on in-plane and out-of-plane plasticity. In the present work, the method is extended to thin-walled shell structures, where the interactions between in-plane and out-of-plane forces and moments are captured through both surface and point contact formulations. To assess the efficacy and generality of the approach, a series of benchmark problems are investigated, including metal sections, cylindrical and spherical shells, T-stub, end-plate connections and assemblies. The results are evaluated against theoretical equations, established numerical benchmarks from the literature and Eurocode standards, thereby demonstrating both the accuracy and practical relevance of the proposed formulations.