Mesh Refinement Method for Solving Optimal Control Problems with Nonsmooth Solutions Using Jump Function Approximations

Alexander T. Miller, WIlliam W. Hager, Anil V. Rao

Published 2020-03-25Version 1

A mesh refinement method is described for solving optimal control problems using Legendre-Gauss-Radau collocation. The method detects discontinuities in the control solution by employing an edge detection scheme based on jump function approximations. When discontinuities are identified, the mesh is refined with a targeted $h$-refinement approach whereby the discontinuity locations are bracketed with mesh points. The remaining smooth portions of the mesh are refined using previously developed techniques. The method is demonstrated on two examples, and results indicate that the method solves optimal control problems with discontinuous control solutions using fewer mesh refinement iterations and less computation time when compared with previously developed methods.