4,101 research outputs found
An Efficient Policy Iteration Algorithm for Dynamic Programming Equations
We present an accelerated algorithm for the solution of static
Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equations related to optimal control problems. Our
scheme is based on a classic policy iteration procedure, which is known to have
superlinear convergence in many relevant cases provided the initial guess is
sufficiently close to the solution. In many cases, this limitation degenerates
into a behavior similar to a value iteration method, with an increased
computation time. The new scheme circumvents this problem by combining the
advantages of both algorithms with an efficient coupling. The method starts
with a value iteration phase and then switches to a policy iteration procedure
when a certain error threshold is reached. A delicate point is to determine
this threshold in order to avoid cumbersome computation with the value
iteration and, at the same time, to be reasonably sure that the policy
iteration method will finally converge to the optimal solution. We analyze the
methods and efficient coupling in a number of examples in dimension two, three
and four illustrating its properties
Error estimates for a tree structure algorithm solving finite horizon control problems
In the Dynamic Programming approach to optimal control problems a crucial
role is played by the value function that is characterized as the unique
viscosity solution of a Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) equation. It is well
known that this approach suffers of the "curse of dimensionality" and this
limitation has reduced its practical in real world applications. Here we
analyze a dynamic programming algorithm based on a tree structure. The tree is
built by the time discrete dynamics avoiding in this way the use of a fixed
space grid which is the bottleneck for high-dimensional problems, this also
drops the projection on the grid in the approximation of the value function. We
present some error estimates for a first order approximation based on the
tree-structure algorithm. Moreover, we analyze a pruning technique for the tree
to reduce the complexity and minimize the computational effort. Finally, we
present some numerical tests
Large-Eddy Simulations of Flow and Heat Transfer in Complex Three-Dimensional Multilouvered Fins
The paper describes the computational procedure and
results from large-eddy simulations in a complex three-dimensional
louver geometry. The three-dimensionality in the
louver geometry occurs along the height of the fin, where the
angled louver transitions to the flat landing and joins with the
tube surface. The transition region is characterized by a swept
leading edge and decreasing flow area between louvers.
Preliminary results show a high energy compact vortex jet
forming in this region. The jet forms in the vicinity of the louver
junction with the flat landing and is drawn under the louver in
the transition region. Its interaction with the surface of the
louver produces vorticity of the opposite sign, which aids in
augmenting heat transfer on the louver surface. The top surface
of the louver in the transition region experiences large velocities
in the vicinity of the surface and exhibits higher heat transfer
coefficients than the bottom surface.Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Project 9
Can local single-pass methods solve any stationary Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation?
The use of local single-pass methods (like, e.g., the Fast Marching method)
has become popular in the solution of some Hamilton-Jacobi equations. The
prototype of these equations is the eikonal equation, for which the methods can
be applied saving CPU time and possibly memory allocation. Then, some natural
questions arise: can local single-pass methods solve any Hamilton-Jacobi
equation? If not, where the limit should be set? This paper tries to answer
these questions. In order to give a complete picture, we present an overview of
some fast methods available in literature and we briefly analyze their main
features. We also introduce some numerical tools and provide several numerical
tests which are intended to exhibit the limitations of the methods. We show
that the construction of a local single-pass method for general Hamilton-Jacobi
equations is very hard, if not impossible. Nevertheless, some special classes
of problems can be actually solved, making local single-pass methods very
useful from the practical point of view.Comment: 19 page
- …