ISOPERIMETRIC PROBLEMS OF THE CALCULUS OF VARIATIONS WITH FRACTIONAL DERIVATIVES

In this article, we study isoperimetric problems of the calculus of variations with left and right Riemann-Liouville fractional derivatives. Both situations when the lower bound of the variational integrals coincide and do not coincide with the lower bound of the fractional derivatives are considered.

Two sample applications of a classical isoperimetric problem of the calculus of variations to fluid mechanical problems in fluidization and spouting

This paper is devoted to outlining precisely the basic mathematics of a classical isoperimetric problem of the calculus of variations and showing how significant fluid mechanical problems in fluidization and spouting can be addressed using this approach.

Variational Approach to Heat Conduction Modeling

It is known that Fourier’s heat equation, which is parabolic, implies an infinite velocity propagation, or, in other words, that the mechanism of heat conduction is established instantaneously under all conditions. This is unacceptable on physical grounds in spite of the fact that Fourier’s law agrees well with experiment. However, discrepancies are likely to occur when extremely short distances or extremely short time intervals are considered, as they must in some modern problems of aero-thermodynamics. Cattaneo and independently Vernotte proved that such process can be described by Heaviside’s telegraph equation. This paper shows that this fact can be derived using calculus of variations, by application of the Euler-Lagrange equation. So, we proved that the equation of heat conduction with finite velocity propagation of the thermal disturbance can be obtained as a solution to one variational problem.

Variational Approach to 2D and 3D Heat Conduction Modeling

The paper proposes an approximate solution to the classical (parabolic) multidimensional 2D and 3D heat conduction equation for a 5 × 5 cm aluminium plate and a 5 × 5 × 5 cm aluminum cube. An approximate solution of the generalized (hyperbolic) 2D and 3D equation for the considered plate and cube is also proposed. Approximate solutions were obtained by applying calculus of variations and Euler-Lagrange equations. In order to verify the correctness of the proposed approximate solutions, they were compared with the exact solutions of parabolic and hyperbolic equations. The paper also presents the research on the influence of time parameters τ as well as the relaxation times τ ∗ to the variation of the profile of the temperature field for the considered aluminum plate and cube.

Variational Calculus With Conformable Fractional Derivatives

Invariant conditions for conformable fractional problems of the calculus of variations under the presence of external forces in the dynamics are studied. Depending on the type of transformations considered, different necessary conditions of invariance are obtained. As particular cases, we prove fractional versions of Noether's symmetry theorem. Invariant conditions for fractional optimal control problems, using the Hamiltonian formalism, are also investigated. As an example of potential application in Physics, we show that with conformable derivatives it is possible to formulate an Action Principle for particles under frictional forces that is far simpler than the one obtained with classical fractional derivatives.

ANALYTICAL VARIATIONAL METHOD OF SOLUTION FOR STRESS CONCENTRATION FACTORS OF FINITE PLATES WITH A PIN HOLE

First of all, Laurent series expansions of stress and displacement fields satisfying all the governing equations of plane problems in theory of elasticity are derived. Next, the variational method is applied to satisfy the boundary conditions of a plate with a pin hole. Then, the coefficients in Laurent series and the stress concentration factor can be determined. Finally, the convergency tests and systematical results are given for engineering applications.

Constrained Fractional Variational Problems of Variable Order

Isoperimetric problems consist in minimizing or maximizing a cost functional subject to an integral constraint.In this work, we present two fractional isoperimetric problems where the Lagrangian depends on a combined Caputo derivative of variable fractional order and we present a new variational problem subject to a holonomic constraint. We establish necessary optimality conditions in order to determine the minimizers of the fractional problems. The terminal point in the cost integral,as well as the terminal state, are considered to be free, and we obtain corresponding natural boundary conditions.

On the Variational Problems of the Functionals with Derivatives of Higher Orders and Undetermined Boundary

According to the necessary condition of the functional taking the extremum, that is its first variation is equal to zero, the variational problems of the functionals for the undetermined boundary in the calculus of variations are researched, the functionals depend on single argument, arbitrary unknown functions and their derivatives of higher orders. A new view point is posed and demonstrated, i.e. when the first variation of the functional is equal to zero, all the variational terms are not independent to each other, and at least one of them is equal to zero. Some theorems and corollaries of the variational problems of the functionals are obtained.

Consistency and Validity of the Mathematical Models and the Solution Methods for BVPs and IVPs Based on Energy Methods and Principle of Virtual Work for Homogeneous Isotropic and Non-Homogeneous Non-Isotropic Solid Continua

Energy methods and the principle of virtual work are commonly used for obtaining solutions of boundary value problems (BVPs) and initial value problems (IVPs) associated with homogeneous, isotropic and non-homogeneous, non-isotropic matter without using (or in the absence of) the mathematical models of the BVPs and the IVPs. These methods are also used for deriving mathematical models for BVPs and IVPs associated with isotropic, homogeneous as well as non-homogeneous, non-isotropic continuous matter. In energy methods when applied to IVPs, one constructs energy functional (I) consisting of kinetic energy, strain energy and the potential energy of loads. The first variation of this energy functional (δI) set to zero is a necessary condition for an extremum of I. In this approach one could use δI = 0 directly in constructing computational processes such as the finite element method or could derive Euler’s equations (differential or partial differential equations) from δI = 0, which is also satisfied by a solution obtained from δI = 0. The Euler’s equations obtained from δI = 0 indeed are the mathematical model associated with the energy functional I. In case of BVPs we follow the same approach except in this case, the energy functional I consists of strain energy and the potential energy of loads. In using the principle of virtual work for BVPs and the IVPs, we can also accomplish the same as described above using energy methods. In this paper we investigate consistency and validity of the mathematical models for isotropic, homogeneous and non-isotropic, non-homogeneous continuous matter for BVPs that are derived using energy functional consisting of strain energy and the potential energy of loads. Similar investigation is also presented for IVPs using energy functional consisting of kinetic energy, strain energy and the potential energy of loads. The computational approaches for BVPs and the IVPs designed using energy functional and principle of virtual work, their consistency and validity are also investigated. Classical continuum mechanics (CCM) principles i.e. conservation and balance laws of CCM with consistent constitutive theories and the elements of calculus of variations are employed in the investigations presented in this paper.

Fractional Noether's Theorems for El-Nabulsi's Fractional Birkhoffian Systems in Terms of Riemann-Liouville Derivatives

The fractional Pfaffian variational problem and Noether’s theorems were investigated in terms of Riemann-Liouville derivatives on the basis of El-Nabulsi fractional model.The problem of the calculus of variations with fractional derivatives is a hot topic recently.Firstly,within Riemann-Liouville derivatives,the ElNabulsi Pfaffian variational problem was presented,the fractional Pfaff-Birkhoff-d’Alembert principle was established,and the fractional Birkhoff equations and the corresponding transversality conditions were obtained.Then,the Noether’s theorems in terms of Riemann-Liouville derivatives for the Birkhoffian system on the basis of El-Nabulsi fractional model are investigated under the special and the general transformations respectively.Finally,an example is given to illustrate the methods and results appeared in this paper.

On the Fundamental Meaning of the Principle of Least Action and Consequences for a “Dynamic” Quantum Physics

The principle of least action, which has so successfully been applied to diverse fields of physics looks back at three centuries of philosophical and mathematical discussions and controversies. They could not explain why nature is applying the principle and why scalar energy quantities succeed in describing dynamic motion. When the least action integral is subdivided into infinitesimal small sections each one has to maintain the ability to minimize. This however has the mathematical consequence that the Lagrange function at a given point of the trajectory, the dynamic, available energy generating motion, must itself have a fundamental property to minimize. Since a scalar quantity, a pure number, cannot do that, energy must fundamentally be dynamic and time oriented for a consistent understanding. It must have vectorial properties in aiming at a decrease of free energy per state (which would also allow derivation of the second law of thermodynamics). Present physics is ignoring that and applying variation calculus as a formal mathematical tool to impose a minimization of scalar assumed energy quantities for obtaining dynamic motion. When, however, the dynamic property of energy is taken seriously it is fundamental and has also to be applied to quantum processes. A consequence is that particle and wave are not equivalent, but the wave (distributed energy) follows from the first (concentrated energy). Information, provided from the beginning, an information self-image of matter, is additionally needed to recreate the particle from the wave, shaping a “dynamic” particle-wave duality. It is shown that this new concept of a “dynamic” quantum state rationally explains quantization, the double slit experiment and quantum correlation, which has not been possible before. Some more general considerations on the link between quantum processes, gravitation and cosmological phenomena are also advanced.

ELECTRICALLY CHARGED SOLITONS IN GAUGE FIELD THEORY

Monopoles and vortices are well known magnetically charged soliton solutions of gauge field equations. Extending the idea of Dirac on monopoles, Schwinger pioneered the concept of solitons carrying both electric and magnetic charges, called dyons, which are useful in modeling elementary particles. Mathematically, the existence of dyons presents interesting variational partial differential equation problems, subject to topological constraints. This article is a survey on recent progress in the study of dyons.

THE STRESS-ENERGY TENSOR AND POHOZAEV'S IDENTITY FOR SYSTEMS

Utilizing stress-energy tensors which allow for a divergence-free formulation, we establish Pohozaev＇s identity for certain classes of quasilinear systems with variational structure.

Existence of Optical Vortex Solitons in Pair Plasmas

Optical vortices arise as phase dislocations of light fields and they are of importance in modern optical physics.In this study,we employ the calculus of variations method to develop an existence theory for the steady state vortex solutions of a nonlinear Schr?dinger type equation to model light waves that propagate in a medium with a new focusing-defocusing nonlinearity.First,we demonstrate the existence of positive radially symmetric solutions by constrained minimization,where we give some interesting explicit estimates related to vortex winding numbers and the wave propagation constant.Second,we establish the existence of saddle-point solutions through a mountain-pass argument.

Prediction of interphase drag coefficient and bed expansion using a variational model for fluidization of small spherical particles

In this study,we applied the variational model to fluidization of small spherical particles.Fluidization experiments were carried out for spherical particles with 13 diameters between dp=0.13 and 5.00 mm.We propose a generalized form of our variational model to predict the superficial velocity U and interphase drag coefficientβby introducing an exponent n to describe the different dependences of the drag force Fd on fluid velocity for different particle sizes(different flow regimes).By comparing the predictions with the experimental results,we conclude that n=1 should be used for small particles(dp<1 mm)and n=2 for larger particles(dp>1 mm).This conclusion is generalized by proposing n=1 for particles with Ret<160 and n=2 for particles with Ret>160.The average mean absolute error was 5.49%in calculating superficial velocity for different bed voidages using the modified variational model for all of the particles examined.The calculated values ofβwere compared with values of literature models for particles with dp<1.0 mm.The average mean absolute error of the modified variational model was 8.02%in calculatingβfor different bed voidages for all of the particles examined.

A Short Note on the Derivation of the Elastic Von Kármán Shell Theory

We derive the F-limit of scaled elastic energies h-4Eh（uh） associated with deformations Uh of a family of thin shells Sh = {z = x ＋ tn（x）; x ∈ S, -g1h（x） 〈 t 〈 g2h（x）}. The obtained yon Karman theory is valid for a general sequence of boundaries h h gl, g2 converging to 0 in an appropriate manner as h vanishes. Our analysis relies on the techniques and extends the results in [10] and [11].

Elliptic Equations with Degenerate Coercivity： Gradient Regularity

In this paper, we prove higher integrability results for the gradient of the solutions of some elliptic equations with degenerate coercivity whose prototype is$ - {\rm div}\left( {a\left( {x,u} \right)Du} \right) = f$ in $D^' \left( \Omega \right),\,\,f \in L^r \left( \Omega \right),\,\,r > 1$where for example, a(x,u)=(1+|u|)^m/ with / ] (0,1). We study the same problem for minima of functionals closely related to the previous equation.