Deflation for semismooth equations

Variational inequalities can in general support distinct solutions. In this paper we study an algorithm for computing distinct solutions of a variational inequality, without varying the initial guess supplied to the solver. The central idea is the combination of a semismooth Newton method with a deflation operator that eliminates known solutions from consideration. Given one root of a semismooth residual, deflation constructs a new problem for which a semismooth Newton method will not converge to the known root, even from the same initial guess. This enables the discovery of other roots. We prove the effectiveness of the deflation technique under the same assumptions that guarantee locally superlinear convergence of a semismooth Newton method. We demonstrate its utility on various finite- and infinite-dimensional examples drawn from constrained optimization, game theory, economics and solid mechanics.Comment: 24 pages, 3 figure

Variational Inequalities in Critical-State Problems

Similar evolutionary variational inequalities appear as convenient formulations for continuous quasistationary models for sandpile growth, formation of a network of lakes and rivers, magnetization of type-II superconductors, and elastoplastic deformations. We outline the main steps of such models derivation and try to clarify the origin of this similarity. New dual variational formulations, analogous to mixed variational inequalities in plasticity, are derived for sandpiles and superconductors.Comment: Submitted for publicatio

Convergence of optimal control problems governed by second kind parabolic variational inequalities

We consider a family of optimal control problems where the control variable is given by a boundary condition of Neumann type. This family is governed by parabolic variational inequalities of the second kind. We prove the strong convergence of the optimal controls and state systems associated to this family to a similar optimal control problem. This work solves the open problem left by the authors in IFIP TC7 CSMO2011