The direct transcription method for optimal control introduces a discrete approximation to the optimal control problem. This finite dimensional problem can then be solved using a large sparse nonlinear programming algorithm. In order to obtain an accurate solution to the optimal control problem it is necessary to refine the discretization using a mesh refinement technique. This talk will describe recent progress in the development and testing of an approach for efficient mesh refinement when applied in the context of direct transcription methods.

MINISIMPOSIUM SESSION: 1. Optimization problems in differential equations