http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/33972 Aeronautics and Astronautics (16) http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/45585 2.081J / 16.230J Plates and Shells, Spring 2006 Wierzbicki, Tomasz This course explores the following topics: derivation of elastic and plastic stress-strain relations for plate and shell elements; the bending and buckling of rectangular plates; nonlinear geometric effects; post-buckling and ultimate strength of cold formed sections and typical stiffened panels used in naval architecture; the general theory of elastic shells and axisymmetric shells; buckling, crushing and bending strength of cylindrical shells with application to offshore structures; and the application to crashworthiness of vehicles and explosive and impact loading of structures. The class is taught during first half of term. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/45583 16.323 Principles of Optimal Control, Spring 2006 How, Jonathan P. Studies the principles of deterministic optimal control. Variational calculus and Pontryagin's maximum principle. Applications of the theory, including optimal feedback control, time-optimal control, and others. Dynamic programming and numerical search algorithms introduced briefly. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/45531 16.31 Feedback Control Systems, Fall 2001 How, Jonathan P. Introduction to the state-space approach to control system analysis and control synthesis. State-space representation of dynamic systems; controllability and observability; state-space realizations of transfer functions; and canonical forms. Design of controllers using state-space methods, including pole placement and optimal control methods. Introduction to the Kalman filter. Limitations on performance of control systems from classical and state-space perspectives. Introduction to robustness of multivariable control systems, using frequency domain techniques. From the course home page: Course Description The goal of this subject is to teach the fundamentals of control design and analysis using state-space methods. This includes both the practical and theoretical aspects of the topic. By the end of the course, students should be able to design controllers using state-space methods and evaluate whether these controllers are "robust," that is, if they are likely to work well in practice. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/39645 16.423J Space Biomedical Engineering & Life Support, Fall 2002 Newman, Dava J. Fundamentals of human performance, physiology, and life support impacting engineering design and aerospace systems. Topics include: effects of gravity on the muscle, skeletal, cardiovascular, and neurovestibular systems; human/pilot modeling and human/machine design; flight experiment design; and life support engineering for extravehicular activity (EVA). Case studies of current research are presented. Assignments include a design project, quantitative homework sets, and quizzes emphasizing engineering and systems aspects.