Relaxation methods for optimal control problems

Abstract

We consider a nonlinear optimal control problem with dynamics described by a differential inclusion involving a maximal monotone map A: RN → 2RN. We do not assume that D(A) = RN, incorporating in this way systems with unilateral constraints in our framework. We present two relaxation methods. The first one is an outgrowth of the reduction method from the existence theory, while the second method uses Young measures. We show that the two relaxation methods are equivalent and admissible.