A new approach to the fundamental theorem of surface theory, by means of the Darboux-Vallée-Fortuné compatibility relation (Q1017645)

According to the fundamental theorem of surface theory, two quadratic forms \(I_u\) and \(II_u\) on \(T_u\mathbb R^2\) (\(I_u\) is supposed to be positive definite) are the first and second quadratic forms of a surface in \(\mathbb R^3\) if and only if the Gauss and Codazzi--Mainardi equations are satisfied. The authors revisit this classical result by establishing that a new compatibility relation on the Darboux's rotation field of a surface, shown to be necessary by \textit{C.~Vallée} and \textit{D.~Fortuné} [Int. J. Eng. Sci. 34, No.~5, 495--499 (1996; Zbl 0900.73423)], is also sufficient for existence of a surface. Possible applications to the theory of nonlinear elastic shells are discussed.