Solution of the problem of optimal cut in an elastic beam

The Kirchhoff model of an elastic beam with a transverse cut is considered. The nonpenetration condition proposed by A. M. Khludnev is formulated at the edges of the cut. The equilibrium model of a beam with a restriction on the cut is written in the form of a variational inequality. An analytical solution is obtained with the use of the projection operator. The problem of choosing optimal cuts is formulated for the criterion of minimum opening. Conditions for determining the extremum shapes of the beam are obtained and an example of the solution of the problem is given.