Regularity of some structurally damped problems with point control and with boundary control (Q1189673)

This paper studies control problems of structurally damped systems, for example a vibrating Euler-Bernoulli beam \[ w_{tt}+\rho \Delta^ 2 w_ t+\Delta^ 2 w=\delta(0) u_ 1(t)-\delta'(0) u_ 2(t) \] in the \([- 1,1]\) interval, with suitable boundary and initial conditions. In this case \(u_ 1(t)\) and \(u_ 2(t)\) are point-controls, but boundary controls are also included in this theory. The paper starts reviewing previous studies appearing in the literature, where particular cases were studied and the methods used have mostly been based on a spectral analysis (eigenvalues-eigenfunctions) of the dynamics operator. The theory developed here is much more general, in \(n\) dimensions (vibrating plates, solids etc.). The treatment includes both cases when the damping operator is the square root of the original differential operator, or is only ``comparable'' to this square root. The approach here is quite different from the one used in the previous cited works, and seems also more ``natural''. Assuming a smooth boundary, the generated semigroup is analytic, which induces a ``parabolic-like'' behavior of the solutions. This sets them apart from, say, the conservative systems. The results seem very powerful and opening the door to further research along lines similar to the classical problems in control theory.