Abstract:

After briefly introducing quasi Hamiltonian systems and their classification, the stochastic averaging method for quasi Hamiltonian systems, and three classes of nonlinear stochastic optimal control strategies (feedback minimization of response, feedback stabilization, and feedback minimization of first-passage failure), the seminar focuses on some recent developments of nonlinear stochastic optimal control including stochastic optimal control of partially observable nonlinear systems, optimal bounded control of quasi Hamiltonian systems with actuators saturation, response and stability of quasi Hamiltonian systems under time-delayed feedback control, and stochastic optimal semi-active control using smart ER/MR dampers. Some problems requiring further study are also outlined.

Biography:

Prof. W. Q. Zhu (Weiqiu Zhu) is a member of Chinese Academy of Sciences and a Professor of Mechanics and Director of Applied Mechanics Research Institute at Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. He graduated from Northwestern Polytechnic University, China in 1961, and then pursued graduate study in the same University. He has been working with Professor T.C. Huang at University of Wisconsin-Madison as a visiting scholar in 1981, with Professor S.H. Crandall at MIT as a visiting scientist from 1981 to 1983, with Professor Y.K. Lin at FAU as a visiting associate professor from 1989 to 1990, with Professor T.T. Soong at SUNY at Buffalo as a research associate professor from 1991 to 1992 and as a research professor in 1996. He has been a visiting professor at University of Blaise Pascal et CNRS, France in 1999, at Kyoto University, Japan from 1999 to 2000, and Schmidt Distinguished Visiting Professor at FAU in 2002. His research field is nonlinear stochastic dynamics and control. He has published two books in Chinese and more than 170 technical papers both in English and Chinese. He received National Nature Science Prize of China in 2002, National Science Prize of China Universities and Colleges in 2001, Science and Technology Advances Prize of China Ministry of Education in 1995, and National Excellent Science and Technology Book Prize of China in 1995. He is a member of the International Association for Structural Safety and Reliability (IASSAR) and its affiliated Committee of Stochastic Method in Structural Engineering, a vice chairman of Dynamics and Control Committee of Chinese Society of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, and a standing member of Council of Chinese Society of Vibration Engineering. He is a member of Editorial Boards for the international journals Structural Safety, Advances in Structural Engineering, and International Journal of Computational Methods.