Optimal motion of a scallop: some case studies

Abstract

In this paper we focus on a two-link swimmer called scallop which moves changing dynamics between two fluids regimes. We address and solve explicitly two optimal control problems, the minimum time one and the minimum quadratic cost needed to move the swimmer between two fixed positions using a periodic control. Considering only one switching in the dynamics and exploiting the structure of the equation of motion we are able to split the problem into simpler ones. We solve explicitly each sub-problem obtaining a discontinuous global solution. Then we approximate it through a suitable sequence of continuous functions. Finally, we show numerical simulations suggesting that to switch less times is the best strategy for both costs.