An efficient and easy-to-implement procedure for the globally convergent homotopy method for nonlinear optimization is discussed in this paper. An envelope function is used to augment multiple inequality constraints so that difficult active set strategy can be avoided. The procedure is applied for a simple constrained minimization problem, and its convergency is tested for different values of an envelope function parameter. The results indicates that for a large value of the parameter, fast convergence is achieved, but it could result in large errors in the solution. The paper also demonstrates application to optimal design of one-ring stiffened shells. A sequence of optimal designs has been obtained as a function of external hydrostatic pressure. It is seen from the results that the single ring-stiffener works more effectively at lower levels of pressure.