Optimal control and anti-control of the nonlinear dynamics of a rigid block

This paper deals with control and anti-control of overturning of a rigid block subjected to a generic periodic excitation. Attention is focused on two relevant thresholds, corresponding to heteroclinic bifurcation and immediate overturning, and representing lower and upper bounds of the region where toppling can occur. The two opposite problems of increasing (control) or decreasing (anti-control) of these two curves by properly modifying the shape of the excitation are investigated in depth and the optimal excitations permitting their maximum variations are determined. The notions of 'global' and 'one-side' control (anti-control) are utilized and their different importance for the various cases is discussed. The effects of control (anti-control) of one curve on the uncontrolled (non-anti-controlled) curve are also investigated, both analytically and with numerical overturning charts. A good agreement is seen to occur.