Variational and boundary value problems in the presence of friction on the inner boundary (Q1288234)

The problem is studied of minimizing a nondifferentiable functional given in a two-dimensional domain bounded by a curve. The model describes the bending of a thin elastic plate with a vertical cut (crack) in the presence of a given friction force on the sides of the cut. The mathematical problem has two features connected with irregularity of the boundary of the domain and with nonsmothness of the function describing the friction. In the article under review, the author states the problem as a variational problem and justifies the Green formula with a suitable choice of spaces. Introducing the penalty function, an approximate problem with a small parameter is obtained which can be linearized by an iterative method. Using the duality theory, the solution to the problem is represented as a saddle point of a Lagrangian. This enables the author to construct an analytical method for finding a solution in the one-dimensional case. An example of explicit solution to the one-dimensional problem is given.