Shape optimization of a two-dimensional elastic body is considered, provided the material is weakly supporting tension. The problem generalizes that of a masonry dam subjected to its own weight and to the hydrostatic presure. Existence of an optimal shape is proved. Using a penalty method and finite element technique, approximate solutions are proposed and their convergence is analyzed.

Extending the results of the previous paper [1], the authors consider elastic bodies with two design variables, i.e. "curved trapezoids" with two curved variable sides. The left side is loaded by a hydrostatic pressure. Approximations of the boundary are defined by cubic Hermite splines and piecewise linear finite elements are used for the displacements. Both existence and some convergence analysis is presented for approximate penalized optimal design problems.