Understand the behavior of queueing networks in heavy tra c is very important due to its importance in evaluating the network performance in related applications. However, in many cases, the stationary distributions of such networks are intractable. Based on di usion limits of queueing networks, we can use Re ected Brownian Motion (RBM) processes as reasonable approximations. As such, we are interested in obtaining the stationary distribution of RBM. Unfortunately, these distributions are also in most cases intractable. However, the tail behavior (large deviations) of RBM may give insight into the stationary distribution. Assuming that a large deviations principle holds, we need only solve the corresponding variational problem to obtain the rate function. Our research is mainly focused on how to solve variational problems in the case of rotationally symmetric (RS) data. The contribution of this dissertation primarily consists of three parts. In the rst part we give out the speci c stability condition for the RBM in the octant in the RS vi case. Although the general stability conditions for RBM in the octant has been derived previously, we simplify these conditions for the case we consider. In the second part we prove that there are only two types of possible solutions for the variational problem. In the last part, we provide a simple computational method. Also we give an example under which a spiral path is the optimal solution. / text

Many problems in continuum mechanics, especially in the theory of elastic materials, lead to nonlinear partial differential equations. The nonconvexity of their underlying energy potential is a challenge for mathematical analysis, since convexity plays an important role in the classical theories of existence and regularity. In the last years one main point of interest was to develop techniques to circumvent these difficulties. One approach was to use different notions of convexity like quasi-- or polyconvexity, but most of the work was done only for static (time independent) equations. In this thesis we want to make some contributions concerning existence, regularity and numerical approximation of nonconvex dynamical problems.

No description available.

No description available.

Cette thèse concerne quatre thèmes apparemment différents, mais en fait intimement liés : problèmes variationnels sur les algèbres de Jordan euclidiennes, problèmes de complémentarité sur l’espace des matrices symétriques, analyse angulaire entre deux cônes convexes fermés et analyse du chemin central en programmation conique symétrique.Dans la première partie de ce travail, le concept de “commutation au sens opérationnel” dans les algèbres de Jordan euclidiennes est étudié en fournissant un principe de commutation pour problèmes variationnels avec données spectrales.Dans la deuxième partie, nous abordons l’analyse et la résolution numérique d’une large classe de problèmes de complémentarité sur l’espace des matrices symétriques. Les conditions de complémentarité sont exprimées en termes de l’ordre de Loewner ou, plus généralement, en termes d’un cône du type Loewnerien.La troisième partie de ce travail est une tentative de construction d’une théorie générale des angles critiques pour une paire de cônes convexes fermés. L’analyse angulaire pour une paire de cônes spécialement structurés est également considérée. Par-exemple, nous travaillons avec des sous-espaces linéaires, des cônes polyédriques, des cônes de révolution, des cônes “topheavy” et des cônes de matrices.La dernière partie de ce travail étudie la convergence et le comportement asymptotique du chemin central en programmation conique symétrique. Ceci est fait en utilisant des techniques propres aux algèbres de Jordan. / This thesis deals with four different but interrelated topics: variational problems on Euclidean Jordan algebras, complementarity problems on the space of symmetric matrices, angular analysis between two closed convex cones and the central path for symmetric cone linear programming.In the first part of this work we study the concept of “operator commutation” in Euclidean Jordan algebras by providing a commutation principle for variational problems involving spectral data.Our main concern of the second part is the analysis and numerical resolution of a broad class of complementarity problems on spaces of symmetric matrices. The complementarity conditions are expressed in terms of the Loewner ordering or, more generally, with respect to a dual pair of Loewnerian cones.The third part of this work is an attempt to build a general theory of critical angles for a pair of closed convex cones. The angular analysis for a pair of specially structured cones is also covered. For instance, we work with linear subspaces, polyhedral cones, revolution cones, topheavy cones and cones of matrices.The last part of this work focuses on the convergence and the limiting behavior of the central path in symmetric cone linear programming. This is done by using Jordan-algebra techniques.

Many problems in continuum mechanics, especially in the theory of elastic materials, lead to nonlinear partial differential equations. The nonconvexity of their underlying energy potential is a challenge for mathematical analysis, since convexity plays an important role in the classical theories of existence and regularity. In the last years one main point of interest was to develop techniques to circumvent these difficulties. One approach was to use different notions of convexity like quasi-- or polyconvexity, but most of the work was done only for static (time independent) equations. In this thesis we want to make some contributions concerning existence, regularity and numerical approximation of nonconvex dynamical problems.

This thesis represents a theoretical and numerical investigation of the canonical duality theory, which has been recently proposed as an alternative to the classic and direct methods for non-convex variational problems. These non-convex variational problems arise in a wide range of scientific and engineering applications, such as phase transitions, post-buckling of large deformed beam models, nonlinear field theory, and superconductivity. The numerical discretization of these non-convex variational problems leads to global minimization problems in a finite dimensional space. The primary goal of this thesis is to apply the newly developed canonical duality theory to two non-convex variational problems: a modified version of Ericksen's bar and a problem of Landau-Ginzburg type. The canonical duality theory is investigated numerically and compared with classic methods of numerical nature. Both advantages and shortcomings of the canonical duality theory are discussed. A major component of this critical numerical investigation is a careful sensitivity study of the various approaches with respect to changes in parameters, boundary conditions and initial conditions. / Ph. D.