Stability and optimization of a clamped beam elastically restrained against translation on one end resting on Winkler foundation

The shape of the beam stable against buckling that has minimal volume is determined by using Pontryagin's maximum principle. The optimality conditions for the case of bimodal optimization are derived. The cross-sectional area for optimally designed beam is found from the solution of a nonlinear boundary value problem. New numerical results are obtained. A first integral (Hamiltonian) is used to monitor accuracy of integration. It is shown that there is the saving in material for the same buckling force.