Stratification method in the theory of thin shells : PMM vol. 43, no. 6, 1979, pp. 1058–1064

It is shown that on the basis of certain simplifications induced in the physical and geometrical dependences, such a “stratification” of a shell can be achieved for which the fibers of each of two layers will be deformed just as thin rods whose axes agree with the lines of principal curvature of the shell middle surface. The approach to analyzing shells on the basis of the relationships to be obtained below is called the “stratification method”.     

Multi-step quasi-Newton methods for optimization

Quasi-Newton methods update, at each iteration, the existing Hessian approximation (or its inverse) by means of data deriving from the step just completed. We show how “multi-step” methods (employing, in addition, data from previous iterations) may be constructed by means of interpolating polynomials, leading to a generalization of the “secant” (or “quasi-Newton”) equation. The issue of positive-definiteness in the Hessian approximation is addressed and shown to depend on a generalized version of the condition which is required to hold in the original “single-step” methods. The results of extensive numerical experimentation indicate strongly that computational advantages can accrue from such an approach (by comparison with “single-step” methods), particularly as the dimension of the problem increases.     

Mathematical modelling of the development of mechanical instability in fracturing systems

The dynamics of processes accompanying a loss of stability in a mechanical system are investigated. The mechanical system is in the form of an elastic rod, stretched by an axial load, with one of its lateral surfaces “glued” to a rigid wall. The “glue” is a low-strength elastic material which is subject to brittle fracture at a certain value of the load acting on it. In a fractured segment, the rod surface slides over the wall surface under the action of a dry friction force which is less than the breaking stress. The high sensitivity of the process of the development of instability to small perturbations which initiate the development of instability is established. The system considered is the simplest model of the zone of contact between lithospheric plates which generate earthquakes.     

Planar and axially symmetric configurations which are circumvented with the maximum critical mach number

The structure of planar and axially symmetric configurations which, by satisfying a number of geometrical constraints, are circumvented in a boundless space or in a cylindrical channel by an ideal (non-viscous and non-thermally conducting) gas with a maximal critical Mach number M* is found. The analysis is carried out using the “rectilinearity property” of a sonic line in “subsonic” flows (SF), the “principle of a maximum” for an SF and “comparison theorems” which are either taken from /1/ or serve as a generalization of the corresponding assertions from /1/. Following /1/, configurations are considered which have a plane or axis of symmetry parallel to the velocity V_∞ of the approach stream, while flows in which (including the boundary) the Mach number M 1 are said to be “subsonic”. As usual, by M* we mean a value of M_∞ such that the inequality M1, which is satisfied in the whole stream when M_∞ M*, is violated when M_∞>M*.

The configurations investigated include closed bodies and the leading (trailing) parts of a semi-infinite plate or a circular cylinder in an unbounded flow and in a channel as well as lattices of symmetric profiles. Both in /1/, where the structure of closed planar and axially symmetric bodies was found, as well as in /2/, where such bodies were constructed numerically, the generatrices of all the configurations investigated contain the end planes or the segments replacing them of the maximum permissible slope (in modulus) and the “free” streamlines with M 1. Now, however, unlike in /1, 2/, segments of the horizontals are added to it in the general case. Furthermore, in the case of flows in channels and lattices, the configurations which have been found can be circumvented with the development of finite domains of advancing sonic flow.     

Mereological relations

A “mereological” relation is one of “part-to-whole” type. This paper proposes a model-theoretic approach to identifying and classifying such relations. Three initial applications of this approach are investigated. In each case, the class of identified relations is found to consist precisely of the partial orders on the underlying set. Further applications are proposed.     

Intrinsically parallel solution of systems of linear partial differential equations

We give here an intrinsically parallel algorithm, which solves systems of linear partial differential equations. The mathematical foundations of the algorithm rely upon a particular representation of polynomials on a structure called “hypercube”, introduced by Beauzamy-Frot-Millour, and use Bombieri's scalar product. This scalar product also permits a detailed study of the stability of the algorithm. Boundary conditions and compatibility conditions are handled by the algorithm in an intrinsically parallel manner. This algorithm has been implemented on a Connection Machine CM5, at the “Etablissement Technique Central de l'Armement” (Arcueil, France). We give here several numerical examples.     

The Dempster–Shafer calculus for statisticians

The Dempster–Shafer (DS) theory of probabilistic reasoning is presented in terms of a semantics whereby every meaningful formal assertion is associated with a triple (p, q, r) where p is the probability “for” the assertion, q is the probability “against” the assertion, and r is the probability of “don’t know”. Arguments are presented for the necessity of “don’t know”. Elements of the calculus are sketched, including the extension of a DS model from a margin to a full state space, and DS combination of independent DS uncertainty assessments on the full space. The methodology is applied to inference and prediction from Poisson counts, including an introduction to the use of join-tree model structure to simplify and shorten computation. The relation of DS theory to statistical significance testing is elaborated, introducing along the way the new concept of “dull” null hypothesis.     

Fuzzy logic in measurements

Our main interest in this paper is to translate from “natural language” into “system theoretical language”. This is of course important since a statement in system theory can be analyzed mathematically or computationally. We assume that, in order to obtain a good translation, “system theoretical language” should have great power of expression. Thus we first propose a new frame of system theory, which includes the concepts of “measurement” as well as “state equation”. And we show that a certain statement in usual conversation, i.e., fuzzy modus ponens with the word “very”, can be translated into a statement in the new frame of system theory. Though our result is merely one example of the translation from “natural language” into “system theoretical language”, we believe that our method is fairly general.     

Red Queen strange attractors in host–parasite replicator gene-for-gene coevolution

We study a continuous time model describing gene-for-gene, host–parasite interactions among self-replicating macromolecules evolving in both neutral and rugged fitness landscapes. Our model considers polymorphic genotypic populations of sequences with 3 bits undergoing mutation and incorporating a “type II” non-linear functional response in the host–parasite interaction. We show, for both fitness landscapes, a wide range of chaotic coevolutionary dynamics governed by Red Queen strange attractors. The analysis of a rugged fitness landscape for parasite sequences reveals that fittest genotypes achieve lower stationary concentration values, as opposed to the flattest ones, which undergo a higher stationary concentration. Our model also shows that the increase of parasites pressure (higher self-replication and mutation rates) generically involves a simplification of the host–parasite dynamical behavior, involving the transition from a chaotic to an ordered coevolutionary phase. Moreover, the same transition can also be found when hosts “run” faster through the hypercube. Our results, in agreement with previous studies in host–parasite coevolution, suggest that chaos might be common in coevolutionary dynamics of changing self-replicating entities undergoing a host–parasite ecology.     

Analysis and design of damped structures

Damping can be one of the more perplexing aspects of structural dynamics because it is much less intuitive and “clean-cut” than concepts like stiffness and mass. Nevertheless, analysts should not view damping simply as an unfortunate side issue in structural dynamics, but as an opportunity for creative design work aimed at suppression of unwanted vibrations. This paper presents a review of some basic concepts in damping and how damping is treated in finite element analysis. It also presents some new techniques that have been developed to support optimization of damping for structures.     

Construction of the value function in a pursuit-evasion game with three pursuers and one evader

A differential pursuit-evasion game is considered with three pursuers and one evader. It is assumed that all objects (players) have simple motions and that the game takes place in a plane. The control vectors satisfy geometrical constraints and the evader has a superiority in control resources. The game time is fixed. The value functional is the distance between the evader and the nearest pursuer at the end of the game. The problem of determining the value function of the game for any possible position is solved.

Three possible cases for the relative arrangement of the players at an arbitrary time are studied: “one-after-one”, “two-after-one”, “three-after-one-in-the-middle” and “three-after-one”. For each of the relative arrangements of the players a guaranteed result function is constructed. In the first three cases the function is expressed analytically. In the fourth case a piecewise-programmed construction is presented with one switchover, on the basis of which the value of the function is determined numerically. The guaranteed result function is shown to be identical with the game value function. When the initial pursuer positions are fixed in an arbitrary manner there are four game domains depending on their relative positions. The boundary between the “three-after-one-in-the-middle” domain and the “three-after-one” domain is found numerically, and the remaining boundaries are interior Nicomedean conchoids, lines and circles. Programs are written that construct singular manifolds and the value function level lines.     

Set-valued topological contractions

By introducing a new concept called “set-valued topological contraction” in topological spaces, the existence and uniqueness of endpoints for both set-valued and single-valued topological contractions have been established.     

A constrained optimization approach to finite element mesh smoothing

The quality of a finite element solution has been shown to be affected by the quality of the underlying mesh. A poor mesh may lead to unstable and/or inaccurate finite element approximations. Mesh quality is often characterized by the “smoothness” or “shape” of the elements (triangles in 2-D or tetrahedra in 3-D). Most automatic mesh generators produce an initial mesh where the aspect ratio of the elements are unacceptably high. In this paper, a new approach to produce acceptable quality meshes from a topologically valid initial mesh is presented. Given an initial mesh (nodal coordinates and element connectivity), a “smooth” final mesh is obtained by solving a constrained optimization problem. The variables for the iterative optimization procedure are the nodal coordinates (excluding, the boundary nodes) of the finite element mesh, and appropriate bounds are imposed on these to prevent an unacceptable finite element mesh. Examples are given of the application of the above method for 2- and 3-D meshes generated using automatic mesh generators. Results indicate that the new method not only yields better quality elements when compared with the traditional Laplacian smoothing, but also guarantees a valid mesh unlike the Laplacian method.     

A comparison of the monomial method and the S-system method for solving systems of algebraic equations

Two numerical methods for solving systems of equations have recently been proposed: a method based on monomial approximations (the “monomial method”) and a technique based on S-system methodology (the “S-system method”). The two methods have been shown to be fundamentally identical, that is, they are both equivalent to Newton's method operating on a transformed version of the system of equations. Yet, when applied specifically to algebraic systems of equations, they have significant computational differences that may impact the relative computational efficiency of the two methods. These computational differences are described. A combinatorial strategy for locating many, and sometimes all, solutions to a system of nonlinear equations has also been suggested previously. This paper further investigates the effectiveness of this strategy when applied to either of the two methods.     

Multicomponent steady flows in porous media with phase transitions

Steady multiphase flow of a multicomponent mixture in a porous medium with phase transitions is considered. It is shown that, in a wide class of cases, the thermodynamic problem separates from the filtration problem and the latter is integrated in quadratures. The class of exact solutions which has been found is used to interpret indicator curves. Solutions are presented in an analytic form for systems of the “gas-condensate” and “oil-gas” type.     

A quantum mechanical approach to a fuzzy theory

Recently, we proposed a general measurement theory for classical and quantum systems (i.e., “objective fuzzy measurement theory”). In this paper, we propose “subjective fuzzy measurement theory”, which is characterized as the statistical method of the objective fuzzy measurement theory. Our proposal of course has a lot of advantages. For example, we can directly see “membership functions” (= “fuzzy sets”) in this theory. Therefore, we can propose the objective and the subjective methods of membership functions. As one of the consequences, we assert the objective (i.e., individualistic) aspect of Zadeh's theory. Also, as a quantum application, we clarify Heisenberg's uncertainty relation.     

Spherical rarefaction flow in the neighbourhood of a reflection point of a “boundary” characteristic

The structure of the one-dimensional steady spherically symmetric rarefaction flow of an ideal (inviscid and non-heat-conducting) gas in the neighbourhood of a reflection point of a “boundary” C⁻-characteristic is investigated in principal order. The “boundary” C⁻-characteristic separates the gas at rest from the flow due to the outward motion of a piston which confines the gas. In the rt plane, where r is the distance from the centre of symmetry and t is the time, the reflection point, which coincides with the point of arrival on the t axis of the boundary characteristic, coincides with the origin of coordinates. The initial velocity of the piston may be zero (for positive acceleration) or finite. When two symmetrical plane pistons advance, the “derived” derivatives of all the flow parameters on the C⁻-characteristic at the origin of coordinates, which in this case lies on the plane of symmetry, are finite. When a cylindrical and spherical piston advance, the derived derivative of the pressure (velocity) of the gas on the C⁻-characteristic at the origin of coordinates becomes minus (plus)-infinity although without intersecting characteristics of the same family [1–4].     

Quasilinear conflict-controlled processes with additional restrictions

A class of conflict-controlled processes [1–3] with additional (“phase” type) restrictions on the state of the evader is considered. A similar unrestricted problem was considered in [4]. Unlike [5, 6] the boundary of the “phase” restrictions is not a “death line” for the evader. Sufficient conditions for the solvability of the pursuit and evasion problems are obtained, which complement a range of well-known results [5–10].^‡     

Long-wave-short-wave interaction in bubbly liquids

The interaction of long and short waves in a rarefied monodisperse mixture of a weakly compressible liquid containing bubbles of gas is considered. It is shown that the equations describing the dynamics of the perturbations in the bubbly liquid admit of the existence of short-wave-long-wave Benney-Zakharov resonance. A special modification of the multiple-scale method is employed to derive the interaction equations. In the non-resonant case, the interaction equations reduce to the non-linear Schrödinger equation in the form of the short-wave envelope while, in the resonance case, they reduce to the well-known system of Zakharov equations. The characteristics of long-wave-short-wave interaction in a bubbly liquid lie in the fact that, at certain values of the frequency of the short wave, the interaction coefficients vanish (“interaction degeneracy”). A class of new interaction models is constructed in the case of “degeneracy”. Degenerate resonance interaction in a bubbly liquid is investigated numerically using these models.     

Bounded realization of asymptotically attainable elements

Problems of the structure of asymptotically attainable elements (AAE) generated by the action of “control functions” that satisfy generally non-convex constraints of a functional character to a high degree of accuracy are considered. No resource type conditions are assumed, which leads to an “unbounded” formulation of the problem concerned with the asymptotic behaviour of attainability domains and their abstract analogues. Necessary and sufficient conditions for an exhaustive realization of the AAE in the class of integrally bounded approximate solutions are established in terms of the generalized problem in the class of finitely additive vector-valued measures.