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This article is aimed to propose a simple yet efficient unified numerical strategy for solving both linear and non-linear optimal control problems. To do so, the general form of quadratic performance index function and nonlinear state equations are considered first. Then, the idea of variational differential quadrature method is used to convert the integral/differential equations to the equivalent algebraic form. Since time is the only independent variable is this research, the finite difference method with an equally-spaced discretization scheme would be a more appropriate technique rather than the differential quadrature approach. So, the implemented numerical solution is called now as the variational finite difference method. The method of Lagrange multipliers is then utilized for minimization purpose and, as a result, the final set of nonlinear algebraic equations are obtained. Finally, the quadratic and triadic forms of non-linearity are considered and an explicit formulation is represented for the residual and Jacobian of the Newton-based iterative solution procedure. To demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed approach in the quadratic optimal control area, several benchmark problems involving linear time-invariant, linear time-variant and nonlinear examples are successfully solved and the results are confirmed with those existed in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to combine Eringen's micromorphic and nonlocal theories and thus develop a comprehensive size-dependent beam model capable of capturing the effects of micro-rotational/stretch/shear degrees of freedom of material particles and nonlocality simultaneously. Design/methodology/approach: To consider nonlocal influences, both integral (original) and differential versions of Eringen's nonlocal theory are used. Accordingly, integral nonlocal-micromorphic and differential nonlocal-micromorphic beam models are formulated using matrix-vector relations, which are suitable for implementing in numerical approaches. A finite element (FE) formulation is also provided to solve the obtained equilibrium equations in the variational form. Timoshenko micro-/nano-beams with different boundary conditions are selected as the problem under study whose static bending is addressed. Findings: It was shown that the paradox related to the clamped-free beam is resolved by the present integral nonlocal-micromorphic model. It was also indicated that the nonlocal effect captured by the integral model is more pronounced than that by its differential counterpart. Moreover, it was revealed that by the present approach, the softening and hardening effects, respectively, originated from the nonlocal and micromorphic theories can be considered simultaneously. Originality/value: Developing a hybrid size-dependent Timoshenko beam model including micromorphic and nonlocal effects. Considering the nonlocal effect based on both Eringen's integral and differential models proposing an FE approach to solve the bending problem, and resolving the paradox related to nanocantilever. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the vibrations of carbon nanotube are investigated in which the inner fluid flow with constant velocity and the widespread external harmonic force is applied to it. Also the nanotube is embedded in an elastic visco-Pasternak medium and the boundary conditions at two ends of nanotube are simply supported. In order to analyze the system and considering the small scale effects, the couple stress theory is employed and the Timoshenko beam theory is used for modeling the nanotube. The Hamilton's principle is written with taking into account all energies and external works of system and consequently the nonlinear motion equations of the system are achieved. Then with help of generalized differential quadrature method, the obtained partial differential equations are converted to ordinary differential equations and the domain of the beam is discretized. From the MatCont package in MATLAB software, the frequency responses of nanotube are examined. To this aim, the second order differential equations are turned to first order ones with appropriate transformations. So the small scale effect or equivalently the differences between present approach and classical Timoshenko beam theory are presented. Furthermore the effects of the size of nanotube, fluid velocity, applied transverse force and the elastic foundation parameters are studied. It is observed that the dependency of frequency response on each of these parameters is different and it significantly changes with these factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Axially moving beams are extensively involved in various industries and have significant importance in many mechanical engineering problems. In this paper, the nonlinear forced vibrations of axially moving beam under harmonic force and thermal environment have been studied. In order to considering the effects of transverse shear deformation and rotary inertia, the Timoshenko beam theory has been used to model the axially moving beam. The nonlinear governing equations are derived with the help of Hamilton's principle. Then the equations and boundary conditions are discretized through generalized differential quadrature method (GDQ) and its differential matrix operators, and accordingly the partial differential equations are converted into the ordinary differential equations. To study the frequency response of the system, the harmonic balance method is used. Also the time responses of the axially moving beam are obtained by the Runge-Kutta method. In a case study, the effects of various parameters such as the axial speed, transverse force acting on the beam, damping coefficient and temperature change on the frequency responses of the axially moving beam with both end simply supported boundary conditions are discussed. The results show that the dynamic behavior of system is significantly affected by any of the mentioned factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]