The Sweeping Processes without Convexity

We study the sweeping processes in a Hilbert space which are generated by a closed not necessarily convex moving set. A technique is developed, based on measurability properties of normal cones, in order to prove existence of solutions. Some existence results are proved, with or without hypothesis of compactness; moreover, under suitable assumptions, uniqueness and regularity properties are established. In particular, the well-known results of Moreau are extended to a class of not necessarily convex (called -convex) sets.     

Local controllability of control systems with feedback

We prove sufficient conditions for the instantaneous local controllability of nonlinear (nonsmooth) control systems with feedback. We introduce for that purpose the high-order variations of the reachable map, which is related strongly to its shape. It is a direction in which the reachable map evolves. The cone of variations is convex. This allows one to prove the following theorem: if there exist variationsv ₁, ...,v _p such that int co{v ₁, ...,v _p }, then the system is small-time locally controllable at the point of equilibrium. We provide a short proof of the main result of Sussmann (Ref. 12) and extend it to differential inclusions.This work was supported in part by FCAR of Canada.     

Study of heterogeneities in steels and determination of soluble and total aluminium and titanium concentration by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

A methodology for bulk analysis of Al and Ti and for determination of soluble and total Al and Ti concentration in steel samples by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was developed. The spatial distribution (both at surface and within the sample) of the insoluble fraction of Al and Ti was also qualitatively estimated. Certified reference materials (CRMs) SS-451 to 460 (carbon steel) and 064-1 (Nb/Ti interstitial free steel), from BAS, and JK 2D (carbon steel) and JK 37 (highly alloyed steel), from SIMR, were studied. It was demonstrated that the insoluble fraction of Al and Ti is heterogeneously distributed. A series of nine glass samples (fused beads) with fixed Fe content and different Al and Ti contents was prepared by melting appropriate amounts of Fe₂O₃, Al₂O₃ and TiO₂ with a lithium tetraborate–sodium carbonate mixture. Quantitative determinations were performed by using calibration graphs obtained from the synthetic fused beads, with ⁵⁷Fe as internal standard; line scan laser sampling mode was used, focusing the laser beam at the sample surface. The optimized laser operating parameters were: laser pulse energy of 1.5 mJ, pulse repetition rate of 5 Hz, scanning speed of 5 μm s⁻¹ and preablation time of 20 s. The concentrations obtained for bulk analysis of CRM samples corresponded with the certified values within the experimental uncertainty. An acceptable concordance between certified and found values was attained for the determination of soluble and total Al and Ti in CRM 064-1 sample.     

Representation of Normal Cone Inclusion Problems in Dynamics Via Non-linear Equations

Analyzing non-smooth mechanical systems requires often the solution of inclusion problems of normal cone type. These problems arise for example in the event-driven or time-stepping simulation approaches. Such inclusion problems can be written as non-linear equations, which can be solved iteratively. In this paper we discuss three different methods to derive the non-linear equations representing the inclusions arising in the event-driven simulation approach. First, we formulate inclusions describing the individual non-smooth constraints and solve them successively. Secondly, we interpret the non-linear equations as the conditions for the saddle point of the augmented Lagrangian function. As a third possibility we discuss the exact regularization of set-valued force laws. All three methods lead to the same numerical scheme, but give different insight into the problem. Especially the factor r occurring in the non-linear equations is discussed. Two iterative methods for solving the non-linear equations are presented together with some remarks on convergence.     

The <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-step iterative algorithm for a system of generalized mixed quasi-variational inclusions with (<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>,η)-monotone operators

In this paper, we introduce and study a new system of generalized mixed quasi-variational inclusions with (H,η)-monotone operators which contains variational inequalities, variational inclusions, systems of variational inequalities and systems of variational inclusions in the literature as special cases. By using the resolvent technique for the (H,η)-monotone operators, we prove the existence of solutions and the convergence of some new p-step iterative algorithms for this system of generalized mixed quasi-variational inclusions and its special cases. The results in this paper unifies, extends and improves some known results in the literature.     

Second order nonlinear multivalued boundary problems in Hilbert spaces

In this paper we consider second order differential inclusions in real Hilbert space, namely p(t)⋅x^″(t)+r(t)⋅x^′(t)∈Ax(t)+F(t,x(t)), a.e. on [0,T], under the nonlinear boundary conditions. Using techniques from multivalued analysis and the theory of operators of monotone type, we prove the existence of solutions for both the ‘convex’ and ‘nonconvex’ problems. Finally, we present a special case of interest, which fit into our framework, illustrating the generality of our results.     

Discrete approximations to optimization of neutral functional differential inclusions

The paper deals with the convergence of discrete approximations to optimization problems governed by neutral functional differential inclusions. The discrete approximations through Euler finite difference are constructed and the convergence of discrete approximations is proved.     

Polychromatic microdiffraction analysis of defect self-organization in shock deformed single crystals

A spatially resolved X-ray diffraction method – with a submicron 3D resolution together with SEM and OIM analysis are applied to understand the arrangements of voids, geometrically necessary dislocations and strain gradient distributions in samples of Al (1 2 3) and Cu (0 0 1) single crystals shocked to incipient spallation fracture. We describe how geometrically necessary dislocations and the effective strain gradient alter white beam Laue patterns of the shocked materials. Several distinct structural zones are observed at different depths under the impact surface. The density of geometrically necessary dislocations (GNDs) is extremely high near the impact and back surface of the shock recovered crystals. The spall region is characterized by a large density of mesoscale voids and GNDs. The spall region is separated from the impact and back surfaces by compressed regions with high total dislocation density but lower GNDs density. Self-organization of shear bands is observed in the shock recovered Cu single crystal.     

Systems of generalized vector quasi-variational inclusions and systems of generalized vector quasi-optimization problems in locally <Emphasis Type="Italic">FC</Emphasis>-uniform spaces

In this paper, we introduce some new systems of generalized vector quasi-variational inclusion problems and system of generalized vector ideal （resp., proper, Pareto, weak） quasi-optimization problems in locally FC-uniform spaces without convexity structure. By using the KKM type theorem and Himmelberg type fixed point theorem proposed by the author, some new existence theorems of solutions for the systems of generalized vector quasi-variational inclusion problems are proved. As to its applications, we obtain some existence results of solutions for systems of generalized vector quasi-optimization problems.     

Deformation, stress state and thermodynamic force for a growing void in an elastic–plastic material

The growth of a spherical void in an elastic–plastic body, subjected to external pressure or tension and a gas pressure as well as a surface stress at the void surface, is investigated. The deformation, strain and stress state in the full body is presented. In addition, the local and global energy terms are calculated. Finally the total thermodynamic force on the void surface as well as the total dissipation are evaluated and compared allowing the calculation of the mechanical contribution to void growth due to diffusion of vacancies generated by plastification or irradiation.