Skip to main content

Numerical Methods for Nonlinear Optimal Control Problems

Abstract

In this article we describe the three most common approaches for numerically solving nonlinear optimal control problems governed by ordinary differential equations. For computing approximations to optimal value functions and optimal feedback laws, we present the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman approach. For computing approximately optimal open-loop control functions and trajectories for a single initial value, we outline the indirect approach based on Pontryagin’s maximum principle and the approach via direct discretization.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Bibliography

  • Bardi M, Capuzzo Dolcetta I (1997) Optimal control and viscosity solutions of Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equations. Birkhäuser, Boston

    Book  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Betts JT (2010) Practical methods for optimal control and estimation using nonlinear programming, 2nd edn. SIAM, Philadelphia

    Book  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Binder T, Blank L, Bock HG, Bulirsch R, Dahmen W, Diehl M, Kronseder T, Marquardt W, Schlöder JP, von Stryk O (2001) Introduction to model based optimization of chemical processes on moving horizons. In: Grötschel M, Krumke SO, Rambau J (eds) Online optimization of large scale systems: state of the art. Springer, Heidelberg, pp 295–340

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Bock HG, Plitt K (1984) A multiple shooting algorithm for direct solution of optimal control problems. In: Proceedings of the 9th IFAC world congress, Budapest. Pergamon, Oxford, pp 242–247

    Google Scholar 

  • Bryson AE, Ho YC (1975) Applied optimal control. Hemisphere Publishing Corp., Washington, DC. Revised printing

    Google Scholar 

  • Falcone M (1997) Numerical solution of dynamic programming equations. In: Appendix A in Bardi M, Capuzzo Dolcetta I (eds) Optimal control and viscosity solutions of Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equations. Birkhäuser, Boston

    Google Scholar 

  • Falcone M, Ferretti R (2013) Semi-Lagrangian approximation schemes for linear and Hamilton-Jacobi equations. SIAM, Philadelphia

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Gerdts M (2012) Optimal control of ODEs and DAEs. De Gruyter textbook. Walter de Gruyter & Co., Berlin

    Book  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Grass D, Caulkins JP, Feichtinger G, Tragler G, Behrens DA (2008) Optimal control of nonlinear processes. Springer, Berlin

    Book  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Grüne L, Pannek J (2011) Nonlinear model predictive control: theory and algorithms. Springer, London

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Malanowski K, Büskens C, Maurer H (1998) Convergence of approximations to nonlinear optimal control problems. In: Fiacco AV (ed) Mathematical programming with data perturbations. Lecture notes in pure and applied mathematics, vol 195. Dekker, New York, pp 253–284

    Google Scholar 

  • Malanowski K, Maurer H, Pickenhain S (2004) Second-order sufficient conditions for state-constrained optimal control problems. J Optim Theory Appl 123(3):595–617

    Article  MATH  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Maurer H (1981) First and second order sufficient optimality conditions in mathematical programming and optimal control. Math Program Stud 14:163–177

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • McEneaney WM (2006) Max-plus methods for nonlinear control and estimation. Systems & control: foundations & applications. Birkhäuser, Boston

    Google Scholar 

  • Pesch HJ (1994) A practical guide to the solution of real-life optimal control problems. Control Cybern 23(1–2):7–60

    MATH  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Vinter R (2000) Optimal control. Systems & control: foundations & applications. Birkhäuser, Boston

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Prof. Dr.Lars Grüne .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer-Verlag London

About this entry

Cite this entry

Grüne, P. (2014). Numerical Methods for Nonlinear Optimal Control Problems. In: Baillieul, J., Samad, T. (eds) Encyclopedia of Systems and Control. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-5102-9_208-2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-5102-9_208-2

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-5102-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference EngineeringReference Module Computer Science and Engineering

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Chapter history

  1. Latest

    Numerical Methods for Nonlinear Optimal Control Problems
    Published:
    02 November 2019

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-5102-9_208-3

  2. Numerical Methods for Nonlinear Optimal Control Problems
    Published:
    08 December 2014

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-5102-9_208-2

  3. Original

    Numerical Methods for Nonlinear Optimal Control Problems
    Published:
    13 March 2014

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-5102-9_208-1