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Article Contents

# Optimal control of system governed by the Gao beam equation

• In this contribution several optimal control problems are mathematically formulated and analyzed for a nonlinear beam which was introduced in 1996 by David Y. Gao. The beam model is given by a static nonlinear fourth-order differential equation with some boundary conditions. The beam is here subjected to a vertical load and possibly to an axial tension load as well. A cost functional is constructed in such a way that the lower its value is, the better model we obtain. Both existence and uniqueness are studied for the solution to the proposed control problems along with optimality conditions. Due to the fact that analytical solution is not available for the nonlinear Gao beam, a finite element approximation is provided for the proposed problems. Numerical results are compared with Euler-Bernoulli beam as well as the authors' previous considerations.
Mathematics Subject Classification: Primary: 49J15, 65L60; Secondary: 49N10.

 Citation:

•  [1] A. Borzi, V. Schulz, Computational Optimization of Systems Governed by Partial Differential Equations, SIAM, Philadelphia, 2012. [2] I. Ekeland, R. Témam, Convex Analysis and Variational Problems, SIAM, Philadelphia, 1999. [3] D.Y. Gao, Nonlinear elastic beam theory with application in contact problems and variational approaches. Mechanics Research Communications, 23, (1), pp. 11-17, 1996. [4] D.Y. Gao, Finite deformation beam models and triality theory in dynamical post-buckling analysis. Int. J. of Non-Linear Mechanics, 35, pp. 103-121, 2000. [5] J.-L. Lions, Optimal Control of Systems Governed by Partial Differential Equations, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1971. [6] J.-L. Lions, Some Aspects of the Optimal Control of Distributed Parameter Systems, SIAM, Philadelphia, 1972. [7] Reddy, J.N.:, An Introduction to the Finite Element Method. Third edition. McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 2006. [8] F. Tröltzsch, Optimal Control of Partial Differential Equations. Theory, Methods and Applications, AMS, Providence, Rhode Island, 2010.
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