Slightly asymmetric beams: Examples of a new class of structural optima

We demonstrate examples of beams with symmetric cross sections, loading and boundary conditions where, contrary to the engineer's intuition, slight perturbation of the symmetry (either in the cross section's geometry, or in the loading or boundary conditions) improves the overall structural response. We apply the classical Euler-Bernoulli beam model combined with linearly elastic or ideally plastic material law.