Boundary controllability for the quasi-linear wave equations coupled in parallel

We study the boundary exact controllability for a system of two quasi-linear wave equations coupled in parallel with springs and viscous terms. We prove the locally exact controllability around superposition equilibria under some checkable geometrical conditions. We then establish the globally exact controllability in such a way that the state of the coupled quasi-linear system moves from a superposition equilibrium in one location to a superposition equilibrium in another location. Our results show that exact controllability is geometrical characters of a Riemannian metric, given by the coefficients and superposition equilibria of the system. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.