Parallel computation for transcendental structural eigenproblems

The paper reviews the implementation and evaluation of exact methods for the computation of transcendental structural eigenvalues, i.e., critical buckling loads and natural frequencies of undamped vibration, on multiple instruction, multiple data parallel computers with distributed memory. Coarse, medium and fine grain parallel methods are described with illustrative examples. The methods are compared and combined into hybrid methods whose performance can be predicted from that of the component methods individually. An indication is given of how performance indicators can be presented in a generic form rather than being specific to one particular parallel computer. Current extensions to permit parallel optimum design of structures are outlined.