A basic optimization principle of Artificial Neural Network-the Lagrange Programming Neural Network (LPNN) model for solving elastoplastic finite element problems is presented. The nonlinear problems of mechanics are represented as a neural network based optimization problem by adopting the nonlinear function as nerve cell transfer function. Finally, two simple elastoplastic problems are numerically simulated. LPNN optimization results for elastoplastic problem are found to be comparable to traditional Hopfield neural network optimization model.