We investigate the minimum time transfer of a satellite around the Earth. Using an optimal control model, we study the controllability of the system and propose a geometrical analysis of the optimal command structure. Furthermore, in order to solve the problem numerically, a new parametric technique is introduced for which convergence properties are established.
We consider nonlinearly coupled string-beam equations modelling time-periodic oscillations in suspension bridges. We prove the existence of a unique solution under suitable assumptions on certain parameters of the bridge.
It is known that a closed polygon P is a critical point of the oriented area function if and only if P is a cyclic polygon, that is, P can be inscribed in a circle. Moreover, there is a short formula for the Morse index. Going further in this direction, we extend these results to the case of open polygonal chains, or robot arms. We introduce the notion of the oriented area for an open polygonal chain, prove that critical points are exactly the cyclic configurations with antipodal endpoints and derive...