Asymmetric exact controllability for networks of spatial elastic strings, springs and masses

TL;DR

This paper studies the controllability of networks of elastic strings with masses and springs, demonstrating well-posedness and exact boundary controllability, with insights into the effects of node masses and spring stiffness on control properties.

Contribution

It introduces a novel analysis of asymmetric exact controllability for complex elastic string networks with dynamic boundary conditions and node masses, extending classical models.

Findings

Established well-posedness of the coupled system for large times with small initial data.

Proved local and global exact boundary controllability under specific control configurations.

Identified the importance of the Laplacian matrix rank at junctions for controllability, especially with wave equation degenerations.

Abstract

We consider networks of elastic strings with end masses, where the coupling is modeled via elastic springs. The model is representative of a network of nonlinear strings, where the strings are coupled to elastic bodies. The coupled system converges to the classical string network model with Kirchhoff and continuity transmission conditions as the spring stiffness terms approach infinity and the masses at the nodes vanish. Due to the presence of point masses at the nodes, the boundary conditions become dynamic, and consequently, the corresponding first-order system of quasilinear balance laws exhibits nonlocal boundary conditions. We demonstrate well-posedness in the sense of semi-global classical solutions \cite{li} (i.e., for arbitrarily large time intervals provided that the initial and boundary data are small enough) and observe extra regularity at the masses as in \cite{WangLeugeringLi2017,WangLeugeringLi2019}. We prove local and global-local exact boundary controllability of a star-like network when control is active at the endpoints of the string-spring-mass system, except for one clamped end. In this case, at multiple nodes, a complex smoothing pattern appears, leading to asymmetric control spaces when the springs and masses are present. Furthermore, the rank of the Laplacian matrix at the junction is crucial for the controllability property, particularly in models containing wave equations with degeneration at dynamic boundaries, which can be interpreted as damage in mechanical vibration systems where parts of the springs are missing.