Relaxation in nonconvex optimal control problems described by fractional differential equations

We consider the minimization problem of an integral functional with integrand that is not convex in the control on solutions of a control system described by fractional differential equation with mixed nonconvex constraints on the control. A relaxation problem is treated along with the original problem. It is proved that, under general assumptions, the relaxation problem has an optimal solution, and that for each optimal solution there is a minimizing sequence of the original problem that converges to the optimal solution with respect to the trajectory, the control, and the functional in appropriate topologies simultaneously.     

Convergence and optimal control problems of nonlinear evolution equations governed by time-dependent operator

We study an abstract nonlinear evolution equation governed by a time-dependent operator of subdifferential type in a real Hilbert space. In this paper we discuss the convergence of solutions to our evolution equations. Also, we investigate the optimal control problems of nonlinear evolution equations. Moreover, we apply our abstract results to a quasilinear parabolic PDE with a mixed boundary condition.     

On existence problems for the optimal control of certain nonlinear integral equations of Urysohn type

In Refs. 1–3, existence results have been obtained for optimal control problems whose state equations are described by certain nonlinear integral equations of Urysohn type. We generalize and synthesize these results by formulating a general lower closure result from which the results of Refs. 1–3 are shown to follow. In the course of this, we also present a novel and rather abstract treatment of existence problems for variable-time optimal control, quite in the spirit of Ref. 4.     

On the optimal control of systems governed by nonlinear volterra equations

Existence theorems are stated and proved for optimal control problems monitored by a nonlinear Volterra-type integral equation. Growth conditions are taken into consideration which ensure the needed compactness on the set of trajectories and entail the existence of the usual optimal solutions for the given problem. Weak or approximate solutions are taken into consideration in a subsequent paper.The author would like to express his appreciation to Professor L. Cesari and Professor M. B. Suryanarayana for many helpful conversations and suggestions for the improvement of earlier versions of this paper.     

Sensitivity,controllability, and necessary conditions of optimal control problems governed by integral equations

Infinite-dimensional perturbations in all constraints of an optimal control problem governed by a Volterra integral equation with the presence of a state constraint are considered. These perturbations give rise to a value function, whose analysis through the proximal normal technique provides sensitivity, controllability, and even necessary conditions for the basic problem. Actually all information about the value function is contained in Clarke's normal cone of its epigraph, which can be characterized by the proximal normal formula.     

Numerical approximation of nonconvex optimal control problems defined by parabolic equations

In this paper, we consider an optimal control problem for distributed systems governed by parabolic equations. The state equations are nonlinear in the control variable; the constraints and the cost functional are generally nonconvex. Relaxed controls are used to prove existence and derive necessary conditions for optimality. To compute optimal controls, a descent method is applied to the resulting relaxed problem. A numerical method is also given for approximating a special class of relaxed controls, notably those obtained by the descent method. Convergence proofs are given for both methods, and a numerical example is provided.     

Finite element methods for optimal control problems governed by integral equations and integro-differential equations

In this paper, we analyze finite-element Galerkin discretizations for a class of constrained optimal control problems that are governed by Fredholm integral or integro-differential equations. The analysis focuses on the derivation of a priori error estimates and a posteriori error estimators for the approximation schemes.Grants, communicated-by lines, or other notes about the article will be placed here between rules. Such notes are optional.     

Existence of finitely optimal solutions for infinite-horizon optimal control problems

In this paper, we investigate the existence of finitely optimal solutions for the Lagrange problem of optimal control defined on [0, ) under weaker convexity and seminormality hypotheses than those of previous authors. The notion of finite optimality has been introduced into the literature as the weakest of a hierarchy of types of optimality that have been defined to permit the study of Lagrange problems, arising in mathematical economics, whose cost functions either diverge or are not bounded below. Our method of proof requires us to analyze the continuous dependence of finite-interval Lagrange problems with respect to a prescribed terminal condition. Once this is done, we show that a finitely optimal solution can be obtained as the limit of a sequence of solutions to a sequence of corresponding finite-horizon optimal control problems. Our results utilize the convexity and seminormality hypotheses which are now classical in the existence theory of optimal control.This research forms part of the author's doctoral dissertation written at the University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware under the supervision of Professor Thomas S. Angell.     

Existence of solutions of initial value problems for nonlinear fractional differential equations

In this paper, by using the Schauder fixed point theorem, we study the existence and uniqueness of solutions of initial value problems for nonlinear fractional differential equations and obtain some new results.     

Existence of solutions for nonlinear boundary value problems of impulsive differential equations

With the help of the coincidence degree continuation theorem, we generalize to the case of impulsive systems of the second order some existence results obtained by Gaines and Mawhin in the ordinary case. In particular, for the impulsive functions the treatment does not assume any monotonicity conditions, which are necessary in earlier papers treated by S.Hu and V.Lakshmikantham, L.H.Erbe and X.Liu with other methods.     

Existence of an optimal control for stochastic systems governed by ito equations

We give existence theorems for stochastic control problems with a lower semicontinuous cost functional and governed by Ito equations. We prove that two formulations of the fundamental problem are equivalent, one involving nonanticipative controls and the other involving (measurable) feedback controls. We then use the concept ofconvergence in distribution to prove existence for the first problem, and hence for the second as well. While our work has certain similarities with a paper of Kushner, our techniques are different and lead to more general results.     

An elementary proof of the maximum principle for optimal control problems governed by a Volterra integral equation

An elementary proof of the maximum principle for optimal control problems whose states are governed by Volterra integral equations is given. Our proof is motivated by the work of Michel (Ref. 7) and utilizes only elementary results from analysis and mathematical programming. By appealing to Pontryagin-type perturbations of the controls, the above optimal control problem is effectively reduced to a mathematical programming problem. The results are then obtained by appealing to well-known mathematical programming results.     

The application of optimal control methodology to nonlinear programming problems

Dynamic programming techniques have proven to be more successful than alternative nonlinear programming algorithms for solving many discrete-time optimal control problems. The reason for this is that, because of the stagewise decomposition which characterizes dynamic programming, the computational burden grows approximately linearly with the numbern of decision times, whereas the burden for other methods tends to grow faster (e.g.,n ³ for Newton's method). The idea motivating the present study is that the advantages of dynamic programming can be brought to bear on classical nonlinear programming problems if only they can somehow be rephrased as optimal control problems.As shown herein, it is indeed the case that many prominent problems in the nonlinear programming literature can be viewed as optimal control problems, and for these problems, modern dynamic programming methodology is competitive with respect to processing time. The mechanism behind this success is that such methodology achieves quadratic convergence without requiring solution of large systems of linear equations.     

Analysis and semidiscrete galerkin approximation of A class of nonlinear hyperbolic optimal control problems

This paper presents an optimization problem involving a system governed by a nonlinear hyperbolic equation with control acting on the domain, in the boundary conditions, or in the initial conditions. The quadratic cost function is the classical one. We present the Galerkin approximation and we demonstrate existence of the weak and strong condensation points of a set of solutions of the approximate optimization problems. Each of these points is a solution of the initial optimization problem     

An SQP method for optimal control of weakly singular Hammerstein integral equations

We investigate local convergence of an SQP method for nonlinear optimal control of weakly singular Hammerstein integral equations. Sufficient conditions for local quadratic convergence of the method are discussed.     

Stability and sensitivity of solutions to nonlinear optimal control problems

Parameter-dependent optimal control problems for nonlinear ordinary differential equations, subject to control and state constraints, are considered. Sufficient conditions are formulated under which the solutions and the associated Lagrange multipliers are locally Lipschitz continuous and directionally differentiable functions of the parameter. The directional derivatives are characterized.This research was partially supported by Grant No. 3 0256 91 01 from Komitet Bada Naukowych.     

Existence of solutions of a thermoviscoplastic model and associated optimal control problems

A quasistatic, thermoviscoplastic model at small strains with linear kinematic hardening, von Mises yield condition and mixed boundary conditions is considered. The existence of a unique weak solution is proved by means of a fixed-point argument, and by employing maximal parabolic regularity theory. The weak continuity of the solution operator is also shown. As an application, the existence of a global minimizer of a class of optimal control problems is proved.