The joint research team, TRIPOP, between INRIA Grenoble Rhône–Alpes, Grenoble INP and CNRS, part of the Laboratoire Jean Kuntzmann (LJK UMR 5224) is mainly concerned with the modeling, the mathematical analysis, the simulation and the control of nonsmooth dynamical systems, with a strong application to modeling natural environmental risks in mountains.
Nonsmooth dynamics concerns the study of the time evolution of systems that are not smooth in the mathematical sense, i.e. systems that are characterized by a lack of differentiability, either of the mappings in their formulations, or of their solutions with respect to time. In mechanics, the main instances of nonsmooth dynamical systems are multibody systems with Signorini unilateral contact, set-valued (Coulomb-like) friction and impacts. In electronics, examples are found in switched electrical circuits with ideal components (diodes, switches, transistors). In control, nonsmooth systems arise in the sliding mode control theory and in optimal control. Many examples can also be found in cyber-physical systems (hybrid systems), in transportation sciences, in mathematical biology or in finance.
For the next four years, the team is organized along two research axes: 1) nonsmooth simulation and numerical modeling for natural gravitational risks in mountains and 2) modeling, simulation and control of nonsmooth dynamical systems. The idea of this restructuring is to put forward a strong application axis for which there is a strong academic research dynamic in the Grenoble region and a network of socio-economic actors very interested in an industrial transfer of digital science methods on these subjects. The second axis takes up the main themes of the former axes of the TRIPOP project by updating them after the first four years.
Nonsmooth dynamics concerns the study of the time evolution of systems that are not smooth in the mathematical sense, i.e., systems that are characterized by a lack of differentiability, either of the mappings in their formulations, or of their solutions with respect to time.
The class of nonsmooth dynamical systems recovers a large variety of dynamical systems that arise in many applications. The term “nonsmooth”, like the term “nonlinear”, does not precisely define the scope of the systems we are interested in but, and most importantly, they are characterized by the mathematical and numerical properties that they share. To give more insight into nonsmooth dynamical systems, we give in the following a very brief introduction of their salient features. For more details, we refer to 58, 32272, 42, 61.
As we have indicated there are many applications to the methods of nonsmooth dynamics. We have chosen a strong particular application for this technique of nonsmooth dynamics which is that of natural gravity risk in the mountains. The choice of this application is particularly motivated by global climate change which has increased the number of rockfall and landslide events very significantly in recent decades. Especially, the effects of melting permafrost, increased rainfall and rapid temperature changes means that alpine regions are particularly at risk 82, 70. Another important interest is the strong academic research dynamics in the Grenoble region and a network of socio-economic actors very interested in an industrial transfer of digital science methods on these subjects. The team will conduct research on the mechanical modeling and simulation of natural hazards in mountains (floods and debris flows, block falls, glacial hazards), bringing new software development in a high performance computing (HPC) framework.
As a first illustration, let us consider a linear finite-dimensional system described by its state
subjected to a set of
If the constraints are physical constraints, a standard modeling approach is to augment the dynamics in (1) by an input vector
which models the one-sided effect of the inequality constraints. The notation
where
leading to a general definition of LCS as
The complementarity condition, illustrated in Figure 1 is the archetype of a nonsmooth graph that we extensively use in nonsmooth dynamics. The mapping
This function is convex, proper and can be sub-differentiated 64. The definition of the subdifferential of a convex function
A basic result of convex analysis is
that gives a first functional meaning to the set-valued mapping
It is easy to check that
Finally, the definition of the normal cone yields a variational inequality:
The relations (11) and (12) allow one to formulate the complementarity system with
The mathematical concept of solutions depends strongly on the nature of the matrix quadruplet
admits a unique solution
is a standard ODE with a Lipschitz right-hand side with a
that admits a solution that is absolutely continuous if
A lot of variants can be derived from the basic form of linear complementarity systems, by changing the form of the dynamics including nonlinear terms or by changing the complementarity relation by other multivalued maps. In particular the nonnegative orthant may be replaced by any convex closed cone
where
In Figure 2, we illustrate some other basic maps that can be used for defining the relation between
Using again convex analysis, the multivalued sign function may be formulated as an inclusion into a normal cone as
More generally, any system of the type,
can reformulated in terms of the following set-valued system
The system (21) appears in a lot of applications; among them, we can cite the sliding mode control, electrical circuits with relay and Zener diodes 25, or mechanical systems with friction 32.
Though this class of systems seems to be rather specific, it includes as well more general dynamical systems such as piecewise smooth systems and discontinuous ordinary differential equations. Indeed, the system (20) for scalars
One of the most well-known mathematical frameworks to deal with such systems is the Filippov theory 58 that embeds the discontinuous differential equations into a differential inclusion. In the case of a single discontinuity surface given in our example by
Generally, the nonsmooth dynamical systems we propose to study mainly concern systems that possess the following features:
The nonsmooth dynamical systems we are dealing with, have a nonempty intersection with hybrid systems and cyber-physical systems, as is briefly discussed in Sect. 3.3.1. Like in hybrid systems, nonsmooth dynamical systems define continuous-time dynamics that can be identified with modes separated by guards, defined by the constraints. However, the strong mathematical structure of nonsmooth dynamical systems allows us to state results on the following points:
These latter properties, that are common for smooth nonlinear dynamical systems, distinguish the nonsmooth dynamical systems from the very general definition of hybrid or cyber-physical systems 40, 62. Indeed, it is difficult to give a precise mathematical concept of solutions for hybrid systems since the general definition of hybrid automata is usually too loose.
To conclude this brief exposition of nonsmooth dynamical systems, let us recall an important fact related to numerical methods. Beyond their intrinsic mathematical interest, and the fact that they model real physical systems, using nonsmooth dynamical systems as a model is interesting, because there exists a large set of robust and efficient numerical techniques to simulate them. Without entering into the finer details, let us give two examples of these techniques:
In this section, we develop our scientific program. In the framework of nonsmooth dynamical systems, the activities of the project–team will be focused on the following research axes:
These research axes will be developed with a strong emphasis on the software development and the industrial transfer.
In this research axis, we propose, on the one hand, to extend existing methods of simulation in mechanics of complex flows in a nonsmooth framework, which allows us to simplify the models by decreasing the physical parameters, and to make more robust the numerical simulations and thus to make possible the construction of reduced models or meta-models. On the other hand, the so-called "data-driven modeling" methods will be explored for gravity flows and prevention structures. The aim is to make the most of laboratory and observational data in order to build and calibrate the models, to evaluate their sensitivity, to improve their predictive character, i.e. to control and take into account the uncertainties, thanks to variational, statistical and AI methods.
This work will be conducted in close collaboration with the UR IGE of INRAE as well as other researchers from INRIA (AIRSEA, LEMON). More generally, our collaboration with INRAE opens new long term perspectives on granular flow applications such as debris and mud flows, granular avalanches and the design of structural protections. The numerical methods that go with these new modeling approaches will be implemented in our software Siconos).
This research is also part of the more general context of a digital platform on environmental risk in the mountains, including intensive and cloud computing.
Trajectory analysis of falling rocks during rockfall events is limited by the currently unrefined modeling of the impact phase 45, 44, 71. The goal of this axis is to improve reliability of simulation techniques.
Different modeling approaches are used in the literature depending on the type of hazard.
For rockfalls and dense snow avalanches, methods that explicitly model the particles of granular materials (notably Discrete Element Methods - DEM) are preferred, whereas for flows (debris flows, avalanches and large-scale rockfalls), methods that assimilate the large number of individual constituents to materials with complex rheology are more commonly used (notably Material Point Method - MPM, Smoothed-Particle Hydrodynamics - SPH, Shallow Water models - SWM). It should be noted that these methods are most often explicit and regularize the constraints of inequalities and thresholds.
This research item will develop the following points:
The objective is to develop simplified models that can be used extensively for the development of calibration and uncertainty quantification methods that allow for the joint use of data from various sources to evaluate and improve the predictive capacity of gravity hazard models.
The following points will be developed:
This axis is dedicated to the modeling and the mathematical analysis of nonsmooth dynamical systems. It consists of two main directions: 1) Modeling, analysis and numerical methods and 2) Automatic control.
As a continuation of the work in the BIPOP team, our software Siconos will be our favored software platform for the integration of these new modeling results.
Participants: V. Acary, B. Brogliato, C. Prieur, A. Tonnelier
Nonsmooth systems have a non-empty intersection with hybrid systems and cyber–physical systems. However, nonsmooth systems enjoy strong mathematical properties (concept of solutions, existence and uniqueness) and efficient numerical tools. This is often the result of the fact that nonsmooth dynamical systems are models of physical systems, and so can take advantage of their intrinsic properties (conservation or dissipation of energy, passivity, stability).
A standard example is a circuit with
Structural analysis of multimode DAE : When a hybrid system is described by a Differential Algebraic Equation (DAE) with different differential indices in each continuous mode, the structural analysis has to be completely rethought. In particular, the re-initialization rule, when a switching occurs from one mode to another, has to be consistently designed. We propose in this action to use our knowledge in complementarity and (distribution) differential inclusions 30 to design consistent re-initialization rules for systems with nonuniform relative degree vector
Cyber–physical in hybrid systems modeling languages :
Nowadays, some hybrid modeling languages and tools are widely used to describe and to simulate hybrid systems (modelica, simulink, and see 51 for references therein). Nevertheless, the compilers and the simulation engines behind these languages and tools suffer from several serious weaknesses (failure, nonsensical output or extreme sensitivity to simulation parameters), especially when some components, that are standard in nonsmooth dynamics, are introduced (piecewise smooth characteristic, unilateral constraints and complementarity condition, relay characteristic, saturation, dead zone, ...).
One of the main reasons is the fact that most of the compilers reduce the hybrid system to a set of smooth modes modeled by differential algebraic equations and some guards and reinitialization rules between these modes. Sliding mode and Zeno-type behaviour are extremely difficult for hybrid systems and relatively simple for nonsmooth systems.
With B. Caillaud (Inria HYCOMES) and M. Pouzet (Inria PARKAS), we propose to improve this situation by implementing a module able to identify/describe nonsmooth elements and to efficiently handle them with siconos as the simulation engine. They have already carried out a first implementation 49 in Zelus, a synchronous language for hybrid systems Zelus. Removing the weaknesses related to the nonsmoothness of solutions should improve hybrid systems towards robustness and certification.
A general solver for piecewise smooth systems This direction is the continuation of the promising result on modeling and the simulation of piecewise smooth systems 36.
As for general hybrid automata, the notion or concept of solutions is not rigorously defined from the mathematical point of view. For piecewise smooth systems, multiplicity of solutions can happen and sliding solutions are common. The objective is to recast general piecewise smooth systems in the framework of differential inclusions with Aizerman–Pyatnitskii extension 36, 58. This operation provides a precise meaning to the concept of solutions. Starting from this point, the goal is to design and study an efficient numerical solver (time-integration scheme and optimization solver) based on an equivalent formulation as mixed complementarity systems of differential variational inequalities. We are currently discussing the issues in the mathematical analysis.
The goal is to prove the convergence of the time-stepping scheme to get an existence theorem. With this work, we should also be able to discuss the general Lyapunov stability of stationary points of piecewise smooth systems.
This last item is dedicated to the automatic control of nonsmooth dynamical systems, or the nonsmooth control of smooth systems. The first research direction concerns the discrete-time sliding mode control and differentiation. The second research direction concerns multibody systems with unilateral constraint, impacts and set-valued friction. The third research direction concerns a class of dynamics which is an extension of linear complementarity systems (or, equivalently, of differential algebraic equations).
Nonsmooth dynamical systems arise in many application fields. We briefly highlight here some applications that have been treated in the BIPOP team and that we will continue in the TRIPOP team, as a validation for the research axes and also in terms of transfer.
In mechanics, the main instances of nonsmooth dynamical systems are multibody systems with Signorini's unilateral contact, set-valued (Coulomb-like) friction and impacts, or in continuum mechanics, ideal plasticity, fracture or damage. Some illustrations are given in Figure 4(a-f). Other instances of nonsmooth dynamical systems can also be found in electrical circuits with ideal components (see Figure 4(g)) and in control theory, mainly with sliding mode control and variable structure systems (see Figure 4(h)). More generally, every time a piecewise, possibly set–valued, model of systems is invoked, we end up with a nonsmooth system. This is the case, for instance, for hybrid systems in nonlinear control or for piecewise linear modeling of gene regulatory networks in mathematical biology (see Figure 4(i)). Another common example of nonsmooth dynamics is also found when the vector field of a dynamical system is defined as a solution of an optimization problem under constraints, or a variational inequality. Examples of this kind are found in optimal control theory, in dynamic Nash equilibrium or in the theory of dynamic flows over networks.
As for the environmental footprint, we have already decided to drastically reduce our air travel and our participation in international conferences. For instance, trips of less than 10 hours by train should not be made by plane. International conferences should be coupled with a visit to colleagues or other scientific events. Concerning the computer equipment, it is not replaced before 5 years and we try to keep the office machines between 7 and 10 years.
Regarding the social impact, the emergence of the research axis 1 on natural gravitational hazards in relation to climate change and studies on systemic risk are a way to focus research on the major concerns of societies. Industrial collaborations are now also evaluated according to the social and environmental responsibility efforts of the partners.
The question of the social and environmental footprint and impact of our research will be discussed in more detail at our next team seminar.
The aim of this work is to provide a common platform for the simulation, modeling, analysis and control of abstract nonsmooth dynamical systems. Besides usual quality attributes for scientific computing software, we want to provide a common framework for various scientific fields, to be able to rely on the existing developments (numerical algorithms, description and modeling software), to support exchanges and comparisons of methods, to disseminate the know-how to other fields of research and industry, and to take into account the diversity of users (end-users, algorithm developers, framework builders) in building expert interface in Python. After the requirements elicitation phase, the Siconos Software project has been divided into 5 work packages which are identified to software products:
• SICONOS/NUMERICS This library contains a set of numerical algorithms, already well identified, to solve non smooth dynamical systems. This library is written in low-level languages (C,F77) in order to ensure numerical efficiency and the use of standard libraries (Blas, Lapack, . . . )
• SICONOS/KERNEL This module is an object-oriented structure (C++) for the modeling and the simulation of abstract dynamical systems. It provides the users with a set of classes to describe their nonsmooth dynamical system (dynamical systems, interactions, nonsmooth laws, . . . ) and to perform a numerical time integration and solving.
• SICONOS/FRONT-END. This module is mainly an auto-generated wrapper in Python which provides a user-friendly interface to the Siconos libraries. A scilab interface is also provided in the Front-End module.
• SICONOS/CONTROL This part is devoted to the implementation of control strategies of non smooth dynamical systems.
• SICONOS/MECHANICS. This part is dedicated to the modeling and the simulation of multi-body systems with 3D contacts, impacts and Coulomb’s friction. It uses the Siconos/Kernel as simulation engine but relies on a industrial CAD library (OpenCascade and pythonOCC) to deal with complex body geometries and to compute the contact locations and distances between B-Rep description and on Bullet for contact detection between meshes.
Siconos is an open-source scientific software primarily targeted at modeling and simulating nonsmooth dynamical systems in C++ and in Python:
- Mechanical systems (rigid or solid) with unilateral contact and Coulomb friction and impact (nonsmooth mechanics, contact dynamics, multibody systems dynamics or granular materials).
- Switched Electrical Circuit such as electrical circuits with ideal and piecewise linear components: power converter, rectifier, Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) or Analog-to-Digital converter.
- Sliding mode control systems.
- Biology (Gene regulatory network). Other applications are found in Systems and Control (hybrid systems, differential inclusions, optimal control with state constraints), Optimization (Complementarity systems and Variational inequalities), Fluid Mechanics, and Computer Graphics.
Main changes:
[numerics] add sparse linear solver with a sparse rhs based on csparse [numerics] new implementation of NM_LU_solve and NM_Cholesky_solve [kernel] new implementation of linear solvers in SimpleMatrix The class SimpleMatrix owns a internal NumericsMatrix thats is used for linear system solving, based on Siconos/Numerics [numerics] add balancing matrice framework [numerics] add freezing contacts in Gauss seidel solvers [externals] add LDL support [mechanics] modify broadphase for Bullet [numerics] render the truncation in NM_entry [numerics] add matrix versioning [misc] automates the generation of docker end-user images 'siconos-ready' [misc] build with ninja
A contribution submitted to CSMA 2024 presents an implicit solver for non-associative plasticity problems based on the semi-smooth Newton method. The method is derived from the Implicit Standard Material and is easily compatible with various space discretization techniques, particularly the Material Point Method and the Finite Element Method. The solver converges quadratically, even for large time steps, although we have only demonstrated theoretical results for restricted cases. The method is demonstrated through a footing simulation.
It has long been known that the standard implementation of impact and Coulomb friction leads to the creation of energy in cases where the sliding direction changes over the impact. The paper 16 (to be submitted to JTCAM) proposes a time integration scheme for nonsmooth mechanical systems involving unilateral contact, impact and Coulomb friction, that respects the principles of discrete-time energy balance with positive dissipation. To obtain energetic consistency in the continuous time model, we work with an impact law inspired by the work of M. Frémond, which ensures that dissipation is positive, i.e. that the Clausius–Duhem inequality is satisfied. On this basis, we propose a time integration method based on the Moreau–Jean scheme with a discrete version of the Frémond impact law, and show that this method has the correct dissipation properties, i.e. no energy is created.
Rockfall propagation models are routinely used for the quantitative assessment of rockfall hazard. Their capacities and limitations remain difficult to assess due to the limited amount of exhaustive experimental data at the slope scale.
The article 46 presents experiments of block propagation performed in a quarry located in Authume (France). A total of more than one hundred blocks were released on two propagation paths. The propagation of the blocks was assessed by measuring the block stopping points as well as their kinematics at specific locations of the paths, called evaluation screens. Significant variability of the stopping points and of the block kinematics at the evaluation screens was observed and preferential transit and deposit zones were highlighted. The analysis of the results showed predominant effect of topography, in particular that related to topographical discontinuities. Significant influence of local and small scale parameters (e.g. block orientation, local topography) was also highlighted. These conclusions are of particular interest for researchers or practitioners who would like to assess the relevance of propagation modelling tools considering this complex study site. In this configuration, the quality of block propagation simulations should notably rely on the accuracy of digital terrain models, and on the integration of local conditions effects using physically based approaches.
Complementary with the research held in 46, the predictive capabilities of block propagation models after a preliminary calibration phase is investigated. It is focused on models integrating the shape of blocks since, despite their sound physical bases, they remain less used than lumped-mass approaches due to their more recent popularisation. We first performed an expert-based calibration based on the use of the 2D model and, second, evaluated the predictive capabilities of the calibrated model in 2D and in 3D using the remaining part of the experimental results. The calibrated model simulations predict the main characteristics of the propagation : after a calibration phase on sufficient amount of soil types, the model may be used in a predictive manner. The adequacy between 2D and 3D simulations also favors applicability of the model since easier and faster calibrations based on 2D simulations only can be envisaged. As classically observed for block propagation models, the model is not sufficient to predict the details of the velocity and stopping points but provides accurate prediction of the global ranges of these quantities, in particular of the extreme values. To lift these limitations in terms of predictive capabilities, more advanced calibration procedures based on optimization techniques can constitute a promising perspective as it is studied in 43.
In 53, a new extrinsic cohesive model is developed together with a consistent time–stepping scheme to simulate fracture in quasi-brittle material like rock or concrete. An extrinsic cohesive zone model with a novel unload-reload behaviour is developed in the framework of non-smooth mechanics. The model is extended to include the effects of dynamics with impact, and is discretised in such a way that it can be written as a Linear Complementarity Problem (LCP). This LCP is proved to be well-posed, and to respect the discrete energy balance of the system. Finally, the LCP system is validated numerically, in both statics and dynamics, by simple test cases, and more involved finite element simulations that correspond to standard test geometries in the literature. The results correspond well with those of other authors, while also demonstrating the simulations’ ability to resolve with relatively large time steps while respecting the energetic balance. We are now working on the development of a model taking into account the tangential cohesion coupled with the Coulomb friction. The objective is to propose a model coupled with hydro-thermal freezing and thawing phenomena in rock interfaces, which will be used to simulate the stability of cliffs in connection with the thawing of permafrost. This is still on-going work.
The objective of this work 4 is the modelling and the numerical simulation of the response of elastoplastic structures to impacts. To this end, a numerical method is proposed that takes into account one-sided contact (Signorini condition) and impact phenomena together with plasticity in a monolithic solver, while accounting for the non-smooth character of the dynamics. The formulation of the plasticity and the contact laws are based on inclusions into normal cones of convex sets, or equivalently, variational inequalities following the pioneering work of Moreau (1974) and Halphen and Nguyen (1975), who introduced the assumptions of normal dissipation and of generalised standard materials (GSM) in the framework of associated plasticity with strain hardening. The proposed time-stepping method is an extension of the Jean and Moreau (1987) scheme for nonsmooth dynamics. The discrete energy balance shows that spurious numerical damping can be suppressed and that the scheme is in practice unconditionally stable. Furthermore, the finite-dimensional variational inequality at each time-step is well-posed and can be solved by optimization methods for convex quadratic programs, providing an interesting alternative to the return mapping algorithm coupled with a dedicated frictional contact method.
The work in 7 is intended to the development and calibration of a numerical model simulating the response of a novel rockfall protection structure subjected to localised dynamic loading. This structure is made of piled-up concrete blocks interconnected via metallic components whose dynamics response under projectile impact is examined via real-scale experiments. The corresponding numerical model is developed in a python based open source software Siconos which implements the Non-Smooth Contact Dynamics (NSCD) method. The geometrical features and mechanical properties are incorporated in the model via specific developments pertinent to the modelling requirements in Siconos. Some parameters peculiar to the numerical model are calibrated against the spatial-temporal measurements from two full-scale impact experiments. The Bayesian interface statistical learning method aided by the polynomial chaos expansion based meta-model of the NSCD model is deployed for the calibration. The additional understanding of the model dynamics through the byproducts of the meta-model is highlighted. In the end, the NSCD model is successfully calibrated against the spatial-temporal response of the experimental structure with more than 90% accuracy for impact energies up to 1 MJ.
The overexploitation of natural resources questions the long-term sustainability of our society. A simple nature-society interrelations model, called the HANDY model (Human And Nature DYnamics), has been proposed by Montesharrei et al (2014) to address this concern with a special emphasis on the role of the stratification of the society. We analyze the dynamics of this model and we explore the influence of two parameters: the nature depletion rate and the inequality factor. Results have been detailed in 14.
Recently, we have focused on a more realistic but more complex model, the World3 model. The model describes the interactions between the world population, industrial and agricultural productions and pollution. Preliminary results on the dynamics of the resource-capital subsystem have been obtained with, in particular, an approximation of the resource half-life. We extended the model to integrate the dynamics of renewable resources and we showed that a cyclic activity is possible.
A critical question in the study of the dynamics of interconnected elements is linked to the existence of cascading failure. The failure of one subsystem when a critical threshold is reached can trigger a breakdown that can propagate through the system yielding to a full collapse. A generic propagation mechanism in a network made of threshold elements has been studied in 13 and we extend this approach to more realistic cases in the context of system dynamics modelling.
In 27, we review several formulations of the discrete frictional contact problem that arises in space and time discretized mechanical systems with unilateral contact and three-dimensional Coulomb’s friction. Most of these formulations are well–known concepts in the optimization community, or more generally, in the mathematical programming community. To cite a few, the discrete frictional contact problem can be formulated as variational inequalities, generalized or semi–smooth equations, second–order cone complementarity problems, or as optimization problems such as quadratic programming problems over second-order cones. Thanks to these multiple formulations, various numerical methods emerge naturally for solving the problem. We review the main numerical techniques that are well-known in the literature and we also propose new applications of methods such as the fixed point and extra-gradient methods with self-adaptive step rules for variational inequalities or the proximal point algorithm for generalized equations. All these numerical techniques are compared over a large set of test examples using performance profiles. One of the main conclusion is that there is no universal solver. Nevertheless, we are able to give some hints to choose a solver with respect to the main characteristics of the set of tests.
Recently, new developments have been carried out on applications of well-known numerical methods in optimization. With the visit of Paul Armand, Université de Limoges, we co-supervise a M2 internship, Maksym Shpakovych on the application of interior point methods for quadratic problem with second-order cone constraints. The results are encouraging 86, 80, 78. A first publication on rolling friction has been published 24 and another publication 3 in Optimization Methods ans Software.
In 5 it is shown that some discrete-time algorithms, which have the property of finite-time stability and are written in an explicit form, are in fact the implicit (backward) Euler discretization of suitable set-valued systems. In other words, they can be written in the form of proximal-point algorithms using resolvents of maximal operators. This paves the way towards a unified framework for the calculation of sliding-mode controllers and differentiators when an implicit discretization is used.
The work 20 provides a fresh perspective on sliding mode techniques for control, observation, and differentiation via its discrete-time implementation with backward terms. In such context, the maximal monotonicity of the backward terms plays a central role for the well-posedness of the closed-loop, as well as, for its stability analysis. With such approach, the strong connections between sliding-mode control and optimization are shown via proximal-point algorithms. The manuscript also underscores the significance of passivity in the resulting closed-loop system, an aspect that has been overlooked within the broader community of sliding mode control. As a side-result a novel robust version of the proximal-point algorithm is presented and later employed to study the finite-time stability of the closed-loop system for the case of conventional (first-order) sliding-mode control. The manuscript delves into optimization and maximal monotone operators, underscoring the impact of set-valued control maps and appropriate selection schemes leading to control strategies that do not suffer the common issue of numerical chattering.
In 12 we study the optimal control of Lagrangian complementarity systems. Such systems are nonsmooth (with impacts and set-valued friction) and undergo varying dimensions (due to the unilateral constraints and the complementarity constraints). The analysis is based on the transformation of the system with impacts, into a system without impacts, using an equivalent Filippov's differential inclusion with absolutely continuous solutions. The difficulty is in the correct design of the sliding surface so that the post-impact velocity is computed correctly. A specific numerical scheme developed by Nurkanovic and Diehl at Frieburg university is used for the numerical simulations on a jumping robot.
In 6 we propose a tutorial survey about an important class of Lagrangian complementarity systems (hence with impacts and set-valued friction) which possess a specific structure that can be split into two main parts: a controlled part (named the "robot") and an uncontrolled part (named the "object") which can be acted upon only through the Lagrange multipliers associated with the constraints (bilateral or/and unilateral) and the friction. This class comprises many well-known robotic systems like bipeds which walk, jump, run, juggling, tapping, hopping, pushing robots, prehensile of non-prehensile manipulation systems, some cable-driven systems, and some electrical circuits with nonsmooth set-valued components. The main message is that a backstepping-like control strategy should be followed to get a unified approach for the feedback control of all these underactuated systems.
This is a subject that we studied in the framework of the IRT project Levage, in collaboration with Schneider Electric. In 11, 17 we have reviewed different modeling approaches for OCs in 2D and 3D, with detailed dynamical equations for single and double-pendulums. Many controllers have been reviewed, and a toolbox has been developed which allows to test numerically the controllers. A comparative work has been performed over typical open-loop and closed-loop controllers, including passivity-based, sliding-mode, feedback linearization, etc, for regulation and for trajectory tracking.
It is well-known that linear complementarity systems (LCSs) can undergo bifurcations at which multiple equilibria, limit cycle, or chaotic solutions might appear, dissappear or change stability. From a control viewpoint, it is important to know the range of parameters for which such changes take place. The work 21 addresses this issue by proposing a novel notion of equivalence between LCPs (linear complementarity problems) that permits to make a classification of steady-state bifurcations in dynamic LCS. The proposed approach takes advantage of the geometric structure of the problem and allows to closely mimic the bifurcation theory of smooth maps. This type of results allows us, for instance, to design LCSs with asymptotic behaviors showing multiple steady states, as is the case in negative resistance circuits, as well as, quantify the structural stability of a given LCP via structural stability margins. In addition, a full classification of stable and unstable LCPs is provided for the planar case.
The work 9explores the use of maximal monotone set-valued couplings for achieving robust synchronization in networks of agents with external disturbances and/or model uncertainties. It is shown that perfect synchronization is achievable with bounded set-valued coupling laws under the affections of persistent disturbances. Moreover, if the coupling is done via the full-state, then finite-time synchronization is guaranteed. The work also proposes practical ways of realizing the set-valued coupling law via electrical circuits. Such regularized coupling law can be simulated in a digital computer using implicit methods 25 and it is detached from the dynamics of the individual agents. Moreover an estimation of the ultimate bound is given in function of the regularization index of the implemented coupling.
The generic interconnection of two passive linear complementarity systems (LCS) is analysed in 19. The difficulty lies in the fact that the interconnection variables are not the passivity inputs and outputs, contrarily to the classical passivity theorem. Various cases are analysed in details (interconnection of passive, strictly state passive, strongly passive, LCS). The stability is also tackled.
The work 22 is largely concerned with trajectory tracking in linear complementarity systems (LCS) where passivity plays a central role for the analysis and design of the closed-loop. Such approach allows to rely on linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) for the computation of the control gains. Cases with and without state-jumps, with and without parametric uncertainties, are analyzed. Theoretical findings are illustrated with examples from circuits with set-valued, nonsmooth electronic components, and networks with unilateral interactions.
This action started in 2001 with the post-doc of V. Acary co–supported by Schneider Electric and CNRS. With some brief interruptions, this action is still active and should further continue. It concerns mainly the simulation and modeling of multi–body systems with contact, friction and impacts with the application for the virtual prototyping of electrical circuit breakers.
During these years, various forms of collaborations have been held. Two PhD thesis have been granted by Schneider Electric (D.E. Taha and N. Akhakdar) accompanied with research contracts between INRIA and Schneider Electric. Schneider Electric participated also the ANR project Saladyn as a main partner.
Without going into deep details of the various actions over the years, the major success of this collaboration is the statistical tolerance analysis of the functional requirements of the circuit breakers with respect to clearance in joints and geometrical tolerances on the parts. Starting from the geometrical descriptions (CAD files) of a mechanism with prescribed tolerances on the manufacturing process, we perform worst-case analysis and Monte–Carlo simulations of the circuit breaker with Siconos and we record the variations in the functional requirements. The difficulty in such simulations are the modeling of contact with friction that models the joints with clearances. The results of these analysis enable Schneider Electric to define the manufacturing precision that has a huge impact of the production cost (Schneider Electric produces several millions of C60-type circuit breaker per year). Note that it is not possible to perform such simulations with the existing software codes of the market.
At the beginning, our interlocutor at Schneider Electric was the innovation (R&D) department. Now, we are working and discussing with the business unit, Division Power and Dinnov (M. Abadie, E. Boumediene, X. Herreros) in charge of designing and producing the circuit–breakers. The targeted users are the R&D engineers of Schneider Electric that use simulation tools for designing new models or improving existing circuit breakers. This collaboration continues with new modeling and simulation challenges (flexible parts, multiple impact laws) a collaboration launched in October 2023 with Dr Emmanuel Frangin, a master student should be recruited in 2024.
We have started with STRMTG a research contract about modelling, simulation and control of cable-transport systems. In such systems, the question of the coupling between the nonlinear dynamics of cables and their supports with unilateral contact and friction appears now to be determinant in order to increase the performances of the cableway systems, especially for urban transportation systems.
In collaboration with Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal, MacGill University and DEFROST Team at Inria. This fund has two objectives: research and teaching. The research topic is about Soft Robot design and simulation using AI. The project also implies phd Student exchanges between the partners to develop new skills.
LEMMA project on cordis.europa.eu
Landslides and avalanches jointly cause approximately 150 deaths and €4.9 billion economic losses each year, with the impacts predicted to become more severe due to climate change. Mitigation and prevention of disasters requires accurate predictions of these phenomena, which due to their scale is only achievable via modelling and simulation. Accurate models of landslides in permafrost or avalanches must account for micro-scale (<1mm) processes such as cracks and shear bands that also involve thermal and hydrological effects that will be exacerbated by climate change. Such models do not currently exist. Further, this level of refinement is not computationally viable when modelling an entire mountainside, and so a new approach must be adopted.
This project will: 1) Develop new models for permafrost and snow subject to climate-change-induced loadings; 2) Use the new data-driven mechanics framework to transfer information from these models to the scale of the mountainside; and 3) Simulate the effects of climate change on the Mont-Blanc massif at Chamonix. This will combine the researcher's experience with shear band models with the supervisor's expertise in crack models and optimisation techniques. A secondment at a group specialising in simulating landslides and avalanches will provide the expertise to implement the simulation on a real mountainside.
This interdisciplinary project will ideally set the researcher for a career in academia in Europe, while benefiting the community at Chamonix, in particular the guide's association, as they will be able to plan adaptations and mitigations for the effects of climate change, ensuring their tourism industry remains viable. Specialised multiphysical models that are adapted to permafrost and snow will advance the state-of-the-art significantly, and the implementation of optimisation techniques in data-driven mechanics has wide applicability throughout civil and mechanical engineering, geology and environmental science.
Self-sustained Oscillations in Nonsmooth Dynamical Systems. October 2021 - September 2024. INRIA Grenoble TRIPOP team (F. Miranda-Villatoro, B. Brogliato) and Gipsa-Lab UGA (F. Ferrante). Coordinated by F. Miranda-Villatoro. The SsONDS project aims at developing theoretical methods for the analysis, design, and control of systems with robust self-sustained oscillations in environments with uncertainties (as for instance, lack of knowledge of certain parameters of the model, or the presence of external disturbances). Potential applications include the design of central pattern generators (CPGs) for motion control, and mathematical analysis of models from computational biology. Total fundings for TRIPOP = 99 keuros.
Simulation of Percutaneous Liver tumor Ablation in virtual Reality. The goal of this project is to develop an immersive simulation of needle-based procedures. Olivier Goury is responsible of Work Package 2 in collaboration with DEFROST at Inria Lille where the focus will be to speed up the numerical simulation using reduced-order modeling techniques and parallel programming. This project is coordinated by Stéphane Cotin at Inria Nancy and Hadrien Courtecuisse at Strasbourg University.
Numerical modeling of coastal defense structures using a fully coupled SPH-DEM-FEM model. This project was submitted to the ANR and we are awaiting the reviews. In collaboration with Ngoc-Son NGUYEN from GeM, University of Nantes.
The IRiMa PEPR (integrated risk management for more resilient societies in an era of global change) is co-piloted by BRGM, CNRS and Grenoble-Alpes University. This exploratory PEPR, with a budget of €51.9 million over 8 years, brings together more than 30 partner institutions and laboratories. Within this PEPR, we are actively involved in the "Mountain" targeted project (PC) with the ANR IRIMONT funding application entitled "Assessment and mitigation of risks related to natural hazards in mountain territories in the global change context". The IRIMONT project looks at all the physical and social dimensions of natural hazards in mountain areas, from the characterisation of processes to decision-making and adaptation in a context of climate change and socio-environmental dynamics.
The project is structures in 3 work packges. Guillaume Chambon (INRAE/IGE), Marc Peruzetto (BRGM) and Vincent Acary are responsible for WP1 - Analysis and understanding of mountain risks and their components. This work package targets the gaps in knowledge and the scientific barriers concerning mountain risks and their components (hazards, vulnerability, exposure). To this end, it includes the acquisition and analysis of new data (instrumental, historical, etc.) and the development of new predictive models (mechanical, stochastic, decisional). This work package thus constitutes the "toolbox" of the IRIMONT project. However, as in the IRIMONT project as a whole, we are favouring an approach in which the questions are linked to the mountain terrain and its specific features, rather than a more disciplinary/methodological approach, and we are focusing on developments that can be best integrated with the expectations of the other work packages.
Within this PEPR, we are actively involved in the targeted project on mass movement modeling in mountains coordinated by Didier Bresch and Farang Radjai.
The project aims to develop and test an innovative structure for protection against natural hazards. It is funded by the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region as part of the R&D operation BOOSTER 2019. The partnerships (GEOLITHE INNOV, GEOLITHE, MYOTIS, INRIA and INRAE) and the operational solutions and tools developed as part of the "Smart-Protect" project will constitute major advances in the methods and means for the natural risk management, both nationally and internationally. GEOLITHE INNOV is leader of the SMART-PROTECT collaborative project. The financial support for INRIA is devoted to the post-doc of Nicholas Collins Craft for the study and the development of cohesive zone model for fracture mechanics simulation.
The OCIRN Project is supported and accompanied by the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes Region. The partners of the project are Géolithe, CAN, INRIA, department of Isère, Halias Technologies and INDURA cluster. The general ambition of the OCIRN project is to support the development of the natural gravity hazards sector in the development and integration of new digital practices. Natural gravity hazards are a growing concern in the context of global warming generating an increase in the frequency and intensity of events, combined with the reduction of societal and economic tolerance of these risks. A functional ambition of the project is to contribute to the integrated and reasoned management of natural gravitational risks, coordinated with the projects of development of the territories, in order to allow important progress in the reduction of the risks, the continuity of service of the installations and the optimization of the operations of mitigation and protection. The OCIRN project aims at 3 major objectives:
These three objectives are addressed through access to shared tools on a scalable and collaborative digital platform made available to the sector. In addition, related training, data collection and processing services will be set up.
Olivier Goury is an elected member of the CE (Commission d'évaluation) of Inria.