General problems of interest in computational fluid dynamics are investigated by means of optimization. Specifically, in the first part of the dissertation, a method of optimal incremental function approximation is developed ...

This thesis is concerned with the optimal flight trajectories in the presence of a three-dimensional windshear. Both the take-off and abort landing problems are studied. A mathematical model of a three-dimensional windshear ...

A multi-segment robot is developed as a concept for use in space based construction operations. The multi-segment robot is envisioned as a member of a class of large space robots, or space cranes, used in the assembly of ...

A simulation technique is described which directly synthesizes the extrema of a random process and is more efficient than the Gaussian simulation method. Such a technique is particularly useful in stochastic fatigue analysis ...

A reduced-order modal energy (ROME) technique for spectrum estimation is introduced. In this technique the transfer function of a higher-order autoregressive (AR) model of a power spectrum is decomposed into partial ...

This thesis deals with the optimization of the ascent trajectories for single-stage suborbital (SSSO), single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO), and two-stage-to-orbit (TSTO) rocket-powered spacecraft. The maximum payload weight problem ...

A stochastic model for predicting the lifetime of composite laminates subjected to multiaxial fatigue loading is proposed. The model is based on the application of Markov chains to the well known "critical element" model ...

This thesis provides first an introduction to an area of continuum mechanics the author terms multibody mechanics. Therein, a continuum is separated into a finite number of bodies. By merging ideas from classical and ...