Optimal control of structures governed by variational and hemiva-riational inequalities and applications

The optimal control problem for broad classes of structures is studied, including those structures having as state relations variational equalities, variational inequalities and hemivariational inequalities. The optimal control problem consists in the minimization of a functional (performance index) having the state relation, enlarged by the control actions, as side condition. Certain new results are given of the optimal control of structures governed by variational and hemivariational inequalities.Some propositions are proved on the existence and the approximation of the solution of the static optimal control problem of structures having a variational inequality as state relation. Then a regularization procedure is proposed for the treatment of corresponding dynamic problem, as well as for the case of hemivariational inequalities. The theory is illustrated by applications concerning convex elastoplasticity and convex and nonconvex unilateral contact problems.