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A steepest-descent method for optimization of mechanical systems

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Abstract

Steepest-descent optimal control techniques have been used extensively for dynamic systems in one independent variable and with a full set of initial conditions. This paper presents an extension of the steepest-descent technique to mechanical design problems that are described by boundary-value problems with one or more independent variables. The method is illustrated by solving finite-dimensional problems, problems with distribution of design over one space dimension, and problems with distribution of design over two space dimensions.

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Communicated by C. T. Leondes

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Haug, E.J., Arora, J.S. & Matsui, K. A steepest-descent method for optimization of mechanical systems. J Optim Theory Appl 19, 401–424 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00941484

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