Existence of Optimal Controls for Semilinear Parabolic Equations without Cesari-Type Conditions

Abstract. Optimal control problems governed by semilinear parabolic partial differential equations are considered. No Cesari-type conditions are assumed. By proving the existence theorem and the Pontryagin maximum principle of optimal ``state-control" pairs for the corresponding relaxed problems, an existence theorem of optimal pairs for the original problem is established.     

On the existence of three solutions for the Dirichlet problem on the Sierpinski gasket

We apply a recently obtained three-critical-point theorem of B. Ricceri to prove the existence of at least three solutions of certain two-parameter Dirichlet problems defined on the Sierpinski gasket. We also show the existence of at least three nonzero solutions of certain perturbed two-parameter Dirichlet problems on the Sierpinski gasket, using both the mountain pass theorem of Ambrosetti and Rabinowitz and that of Pucci and Serrin.     

From a Nonlinear, Nonconvex Variational Problem to a Linear, Convex Formulation

   Abstract. We propose a general approach to deal with nonlinear, nonconvex variational problems based on a reformulation of the problem resulting in an optimization problem with linear cost functional and convex constraints. As a first step we explicitly explore these ideas to some one-dimensional variational problems and obtain specific conclusions of an analytical and numerical nature.     

A Property of Sobolev Spaces and Existence in Optimal Design

   Abstract. We prove that for bounded open sets Ω with continuous boundary, Sobolev spaces of type W ₀ ^l,p (Ω ) are characterized by the zero extension outside of Ω . Combining this with a compactness result for domains of class C, we obtain a general existence theorem for shape optimization problems governed by nonlinear nonhomogenous Dirichlet boundary value problems of arbitrary order, in arbitrary dimension and with general cost functionals.     

Optimization problems on general classes of rearrangements

This paper is concerned with maximization and minimization problems of the energy integral associated to p-Laplace equations depending on functions that belong to a class of rearrangements. We prove existence and uniqueness results, and present some features of optimal solutions. The radial case is discussed in detail. We also prove a result of uniqueness for a class of p-Laplace equations under non-standard assumptions.     

Suboptimal boundary controls for elliptic equation in critically perforated domain

In this paper we study the asymptotic behaviour, as ε   tends to zero, of a class of boundary optimal control problems Pε${\mathbb{P}}_{\epsilon }$, set in ε-periodically perforated domain. The holes have a critical size with respect to ε  -sized mesh of periodicity. The support of controls is contained in the set of boundaries of the holes. This set is divided into two parts, on one part the controls are of Dirichlet type; on the other one the controls are of Neumann type. We show that the optimal controls of the homogenized problem can be used as suboptimal ones for the problems Pε${\mathbb{P}}_{\epsilon }$.     

Robust Optimal Stopping-Time Control for Nonlinear Systems

   Abstract. We formulate a robust optimal stopping-time problem for a state-space system and give the connection between various notions of lower value function for the associated games (and storage function for the associated dissipative system) with solutions of the appropriate variational inequality (VI) (the analogue of the Hamilton—Jacobi—Bellman—Isaacs equation for this setting). We show that the stopping-time rule can be obtained by solving the VI in the viscosity sense and a positive definite supersolution of the VI can be used for stability analysis.     

Differential variational inequalities in infinite banach spaces

In this paper, we consider a new differential variational inequality (DVI, for short) which is composed of an evolution equation and a variational inequality in infinite Banach spaces. This kind of problems may be regarded as a special feedback control problem. Based on the Browder's theorem and the optimal control theory, we show the existence of solutions to the mentioned problem.     

Optimal control,sensitivity analysis and relaxation of maximal monotone integrodifferential inclusions inR N

In this paper we examine optimal control problems governed by maximal monotone integrodifferential inclusions inR ^N . First we establish the existence of an optimal control. Then we show that the value of the problem depends continuously on a parameter appearing in all the data. Then we introduce the relaxed system, we show that under very general hypotheses it has a solution and that its value equals that of the original problem. Subsequently we show that relaxability and performance stability are equivalent concepts. Finally we specialize our results to the class of controlled differential variational inequalities.Research supported by NSF Grant DMS-8802688     

Variational approach and optimal control of a PEM fuel cell

The purpose of this paper is to propose and study a mathematical model and a boundary control problem associated to the miscible displacement of hydrogen through the porous anode of a PEM fuel cell. Throughout the paper, we study certain variational problems with a priori regularity properties of the weak solutions. We obtain the existence of less regular solutions and then we prove the desired regularity of these solutions. We consider a control problem that permits to determine the boundary distribution of the pressure which provides an optimal configuration for the temperature and for the concentration, as well. Since the solution of the problem is not unique, the control variable does not appear explicitly in the definition of our cost functional. To overcome this difficulty, we introduce a family of penalized control problems which approximates our boundary control problem. The necessary conditions of optimality are derived by passing to the limit in the penalized optimality conditions.     

Constant-sign and sign-changing solutions for nonlinear eigenvalue problems

We prove the existence of multiple constant-sign and sign-changing solutions for a nonlinear elliptic eigenvalue problem under Dirichlet boundary condition involving the p$p$-Laplacian. More precisely, we establish the existence of a positive solution, of a negative solution, and of a nontrivial sign-changing solution when the eigenvalue parameter λ$\lambda$ is greater than the second eigenvalue _λ2${\lambda }_2$ of the negative p$p$-Laplacian, extending results by Ambrosetti–Lupo, Ambrosetti–Mancini, and Struwe. Our approach relies on a combined use of variational and topological tools (such as, e.g., critical points, Mountain-Pass theorem, second deformation lemma, variational characterization of the first and second eigenvalue of the p$p$-Laplacian) and comparison arguments for nonlinear differential inequalities. In particular, the existence of extremal nontrivial constant-sign solutions plays an important role in the proof of sign-changing solutions.     

An Obstacle Control Problem with a Source Term

   Abstract. An optimal control problem for an elliptic variational inequality with a source term is considered. The obstacle is the control, and the goal is to keep the solution of the variational inequality close to the desired profile while the H ¹ norm of the obstacle is not too large. The addition of the source term strongly affects the needed compactness result for the existence of a minimizer.     

General auxiliary problem and algorithm for a generalized multi-valued variational-like inequality problem in reflexive Banach spaces

In this article, some generalized multi-valued variational-like inequality problems and their related general auxiliary problems in real reflexive Banach spaces are introduced. An existence theorem for one of the general auxiliary problems is proved. Furthermore, by exploiting this theorem, an algorithm for the corresponding generalized multi-valued variational-like inequality problem is constructed. The theorems of this article generalize, improve and unify many known corresponding results.     

A Property of Sobolev Spaces and Existence in Optimal Design

Abstract. We prove that for bounded open sets Ω with continuous boundary, Sobolev spaces of type W ₀ ^l,p (Ω ) are characterized by the zero extension outside of Ω . Combining this with a compactness result for domains of class C, we obtain a general existence theorem for shape optimization problems governed by nonlinear nonhomogenous Dirichlet boundary value problems of arbitrary order, in arbitrary dimension and with general cost functionals.     

Strong approximation ofGSBV functions by piecewise smooth functions

Let Ω be an open and bounded subset ofR ⁿ with locally Lipschitz boundary. We prove that the functionsv∈SBV(Ω,R ^m ) whose jump setS _vis essentially closed and polyhedral and which are of classW ^{k, ∞} (S _v,R ^m) for every integerk are strongly dense inGSBV ^p(Ω,R ^m ), in the sense that every functionu inGSBV ^p(Ω,R ^m ) is approximated inL ^p(Ω,R ^m ) by a sequence of functions {v _k{_j∈N with the described regularity such that the approximate gradients ∇v _jconverge inL ^p(Ω,R ^nm ) to the approximate gradient ∇u and the (n−1)-dimensional measure of the jump setsS _{v j} converges to the (n−1)-dimensional measure ofS _u. The structure ofS _v can be further improved in casep≤2.

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Sunto Sia Ω un aperto limitato diR ⁿ con frontiera localmente Lipschitziana. In questo lavoro si dimostra che le funzioniv∈SBV(Ω,R ^m ) con insieme di saltoS _v essenzialmente chiuso e poliedrale che sono di classeW ^{k, ∞} (S _v,R ^m ) per ogni interok sono fortemente dense inGSBV ^p(Ω,R ^m ), nel senso che ogni funzioneu∈GSBV ^p(Ω,R ^m ) è approssimata inL ^p(Ω,R ^m ) da una successione di funzioni {v _j}_j∈N con la regolaritá descritta tali che i gradienti approssimati ∇v _jconvergono inL ^p(Ω,R ^nm ) al gradiente approssimato ∇u e la misura (n−1)-dimensionale degli insiemi di saltoS _{v j}converge alla misura (n−1)-dimensionale diS _u. La struttura diS _vpuó essere migliorata nel caso in cuip≤2.

     

Weighted quasi-equilibrium problems with lower and upper bounds

This paper is devoted to studying the solution existence of weighted quasi-equilibrium problems with lower and upper bounds by using maximal element theorems, a fixed point theorem of set-valued mappings and Fan–KKM theorem, respectively. Some new results are obtained.     

Analysis and control of a scalar conservation law modeling a highly re-entrant manufacturing system

In this paper, we study a scalar conservation law that models a highly re-entrant manufacturing system as encountered in semi-conductor production. As a generalization of Coron et al. (2010) [14], the velocity function possesses both the local and nonlocal character. We prove the existence and uniqueness of the weak solution to the Cauchy problem with initial and boundary data in L^∞. We also obtain the stability (continuous dependence) of both the solution and the out-flux with respect to the initial and boundary data. Finally, we prove the existence of an optimal control that minimizes, in the Lp-sense with 1?p?∞, the difference between the actual out-flux and a forecast demand over a fixed time period.     

Strong convergence of iterative methods by strictly pseudocontractive mappings in Banach spaces

In this paper we deal with fixed point computational problems by strongly convergent methods involving strictly pseudocontractive mappings in smooth Banach spaces. First, we prove that the S-iteration process recently introduced by Sahu in [14] converges strongly to a unique fixed point of a mapping T, where T is κ-strongly pseudocontractive mapping from a nonempty, closed and convex subset C of a smooth Banach space into itself. It is also shown that the hybrid steepest descent method converges strongly to a unique solution of a variational inequality problem with respect to a finite family of λ_i-strictly pseudocontractive mappings from C into itself. Our results extend and improve some very recent theorems in fixed point theory and variational inequality problems. Particularly, the results presented here extend some theorems of Reich (1980) [1] and Yamada (2001) [15] to a general class of λ-strictly pseudocontractive mappings in uniformly smooth Banach spaces.     

Existence and iterative approximations of solutions for mixed quasi-variational-like inequalities in Banach spaces

In this paper, we introduce and investigate a new class of mixed quasi-variational-like inequalities in reflexive Banach spaces. By applying a minimax inequality due to Ding–Tan and a lemma due to Chang, we establish some existence and uniqueness results of solution for the mixed quasi-variational-like inequality. Next, by using a KKM theorem due to Fan and an auxiliary principle technique due to Cohen, we suggest two iterative algorithms and study the convergence criteria of iterative sequences generated by the iterative algorithms. Our results extend, improve and unify several known results in the literature.     

A Linear PDE Approach to the Bellman Equation of Ergodic Control with Periodic Structure

   Abstract. In this paper we give a new proof of the existence result of Bensoussan [1, Theorem II-6.1] for the Bellman equation of ergodic control with periodic structure. This Bellman equation is a nonlinear PDE, and he constructed its solution by using the solution of a nonlinear PDE. On the contrary, our key idea is to solve two linear PDEs. Hence, we propose a linear PDE approach to this Bellman equation.