Exact controllability for Bresse system with variable coefficients

This paper is concerned with the internal exact controllability of a generalized Bresse system with variable coefficients, which the controls functions acts in an arbitrarily small subinterval (l₁,l₂) of (0,L). Our computation suggests a minimal time control and a region where the controls are more effective. The variable coefficients can be viewed as a generalization of Laplacian operator. The main result is obtained by applying Hilbert Uniqueness Method proposed by Lions, without using the Holmgren's uniqueness theorem or the hypothesis of equal‐speed waves of propagation. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.