On the geometry of non-holonomic Lagrangian systems

We present a geometric framework for non-holonomic Lagrangian systems in terms of distributions on the configuration manifold. If the constrained system is regular, an almost product structure on the phase space of velocities is constructed such that. the constrained dynamics is obtained by projecting the free dynamics. If the constrained system is singular, we develop a constraint algorithm which is very similar to that developed by Dirac and Bergmann, and later globalized by Gotay and Nester. Special attention to the case of constrained systems given by connections is paid. In particular, we extend the results of Koiller for Caplygin systems. An application to the so-called non-holonomic geometry is given. (C) 1996 American Institute of Physics.