Description:
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Structure optimization for problems of solid mechanics is gaining in importance. Of special interest to the ship and aeroplane designer is optimizing changes in sections and hols in such a way that the largest value of the von Mises stress becomes as small as possible, to optimize the use of material. Also, the temporal beginning of crack propagation should be delayed as long as possible. A <jats:italic>dynamic programming</jats:italic> formulation for structure optimization is presented and mechanical theorems fix an iterative solution process.</jats:p>