Efficient Numerical Solution of Large Scale Algebraic Matrix Equations in PDE Control and Model Order Reduction

Matrix Lyapunov and Riccati equations are an important tool in mathematical systems theory. They are the key ingredients in balancing based model order reduction techniques and linear quadratic regulator problems. For small and moderately sized problems these equations are solved by techniques with at least cubic complexity which prohibits their usage in large scale applications. Around the year 2000 solvers for large scale problems have been introduced. The basic idea there is to compute a low rank decomposition of the quadratic and dense solution matrix and in turn reduce the memory and computational complexity of the algorithms. In this thesis efficiency enhancing techniques for the low rank alternating directions implicit iteration based solution of large scale matrix equations are introduced and discussed. Also the applicability in the context of real world systems is demonstrated. The thesis is structured in seven central chapters. After the introduction chapter 2 introduces the basic concepts and notations needed as fundamental tools for the remainder of the thesis. The next chapter then introduces a collection of test examples spanning from easily scalable academic test systems to badly conditioned technical applications which are used to demonstrate the features of the solvers. Chapter four and five describe the basic solvers and the modifications taken to make them applicable to an even larger class of problems. The following two chapters treat the application of the solvers in the context of model order reduction and linear quadratic optimal control of PDEs. The final chapter then presents the extensive numerical testing undertaken with the solvers proposed in the prior chapters. Some conclusions and an appendix complete the thesis

A semi-discretized heat transfer model for optimal cooling of steel profiles

Summary. Several generalized state-space models arising from a semi-discretization of a controlled heat transfer process for optimal cooling of steel profiles are presented. The model orders differ due to different levels of refinement applied to the computational mesh. 1 The model equations We consider the problem of optimal cooling of steel profiles. This problem arises in a rolling mill when different steps in the production process require different temperatures of the raw material. To achieve a high production rate, economical interests suggest to reduce the temperature as fast as possible to the required level before entering the next production phase. At the same time, the cooling process, which is realized by spraying cooling fluids on the surface, has to be controlled so that material properties, such as durability or porosity, achieve given quality standards. Large gradients in the temperature distributions of the steel profile may lead to unwanted deformations, brittleness, loss of rigidity, and other undesirable material properties. It is therefor

A numerical comparison of solvers for large-scale, continuous-time algebraic Riccati equations and LQR problems

In this paper, we discuss numerical methods for solving large-scale continuous-time algebraic Riccati equations. These methods have been the focus of intensive research in recent years, and significant progress has been made in both the theoretical understanding and efficient implementation of various competing algorithms. There are several goals of this manuscript: first, to gather in one place an overview of different approaches for solving large-scale Riccati equations, and to point to the recent advances in each of them. Second, to analyze and compare the main computational ingredients of these algorithms, to detect their strong points and their potential bottlenecks. And finally, to compare the effective implementations of all methods on a set of relevant benchmark examples, giving an indication of their relative performance

Efficient Solution of Large-Scale Algebraic Riccati Equations Associated with Index-2 DAEs via the Inexact Low-Rank Newton-ADI Method

This paper extends the algorithm of Benner, Heinkenschloss, Saak, and Weichelt: An inexact low-rank Newton-ADI method for large-scale algebraic Riccati equations, Applied Numerical Mathematics Vol.~108 (2016), pp.~125--142, doi:10.1016/j.apnum.2016.05.006 to Riccati equations associated with Hessenberg index-2 Differential Algebratic Equation (DAE) systems. Such DAE systems arise, e.g., from semi-discretized, linearized (around steady state) Navier-Stokes equations. The solution of the associated Riccati equation is important, e.g., to compute feedback laws that stabilize the Navier-Stokes equations. Challenges in the numerical solution of the Riccati equation arise from the large-scale of the underlying systems and the algebraic constraint in the DAE system. These challenges are met by a careful extension of the inexact low-rank Newton-ADI method to the case of DAE systems. A main ingredient in the extension to the DAE case is the projection onto the manifold described by the algebraic constraints. In the algorithm, the equations are never explicitly projected, but the projection is only applied as needed. Numerical experience indicates that the algorithmic choices for the control of inexactness and line-search can help avoid subproblems with matrices that are only marginally stable. The performance of the algorithm is illustrated on a large-scale Riccati equation associated with the stabilization of Navier-Stokes flow around a cylinder.Comment: 21 pages, 2 figures, 4 table

On the Parameter Selection Problem in the Newton-ADI Iteration for Large Scale Riccati Equations

The numerical treatment of linear-quadratic regulator problems for parabolic partial differential equations (PDEs) on infinite time horizons requires the solution of large scale algebraic Riccati equations (ARE). The Newton-ADI iteration is an efficient numerical method for this task. It includes the solution of a Lyapunov equation by the alternating directions implicit (ADI) algorithm in each iteration step. On finite time intervals the solution of a large scale differential Riccati equation is required. This can be solved by a backward differentiation formula (BDF) method, which needs to solve an ARE in each time step. Here, we study the selection of shift parameters for the ADI method. This leads to a rational min-max-problem which has been considered by many authors. Since knowledge about the complete complex spectrum is crucial for computing the optimal solution, this is infeasible for th

Towards a Benchmark Framework for Model Order Reduction in the Mathematical Research Data Initiative (MaRDI)

The race for the most efficient, accurate, and universal algorithm in scientific computing drives innovation. At the same time, this healthy competition is only beneficial if the research output is actually comparable to prior results. Fairly comparing algorithms can be a complex endeavor, as the implementation, configuration, compute environment, and test problems need to be well-defined. Due to the increase in computer-based experiments, new infrastructure for facilitating the exchange and comparison of new algorithms is also needed. To this end, we propose a benchmark framework, as a set of generic specifications for comparing implementations of algorithms using test cases native to a community. Its value lies in its ability to fairly compare and validate existing methods for new applications, as well as compare newly developed methods with existing ones. As a prototype for a more general framework, we have begun building a benchmark tool for the model order reduction (MOR) community. The data basis of the tool is the collection of the Model Order Reduction Wiki (MORWiki). The wiki features three main categories: benchmarks, methods, and software. An editorial board curates submissions and patrols edited entries. Data sets for linear and parametric-linear models are already well represented in the existing collection. Data sets for non-linear or procedural models, for which only evaluation data, or codes / algorithmic descriptions, rather than equations, are available, are being added and extended. Properties and interesting characteristics used for benchmark selection and later assessments are recorded in the model metadata. Our tool, the Model Order Reduction Benchmarker (MORB) is under active development for linear time-invariant systems and solvers.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figure