Finite element approximation of hemivariational inequalities (Q5928207)

This paper analyzes a finite element approximation of elliptic and parabolic hemivariational inequalities. Firstly, the authors define a general setting which allows to consider the elliptic hemivariational inequalities of scalar type and to prove some existence results. Next, they consider an approximation of this generic problem by using a finite element method and they obtain some convergence results. Moreover, they extend the study to parabolic hemivariational inequalities. Finally, they give some numerical results which illustrate the pertinence of the methodology on the example of a plane elastic body which has a bilateral contact on parts of its boundaries with a nonmonotone friction law. A very technical paper which should be read in connection with the book on the same subject by the same authors and \textit{P. D. Panagiotopoulos} [Finite element method for hemivariational inequalities. Theory, methods and applications (1999; Zbl 0949.65069)].