Homogenization of nonconvex integral functionals and cellular elastic materials (Q1094172)

In this paper the author considers a family of integral functionals depending on a parameter \(\epsilon >0\). The integrand W is a function of the variable space x and of the gradient of the desplacement u(x). u is a vector valued function. The assumptions on W are that it is measurable and periodic in x and it is nonconvex (in general) in the gradient of u, but with a polynomial growth. In the framework of \(\Gamma\)-convergence theory the asymptotic behaviour is studied, in order to obtain an explicit formulation of the limit problem. The author remarks that the convergence result can also be obtained as consequence of a recent theorem of \textit{A. Braides} [Rend. Accad. Naz. Sci. Detta XL, V. Ser., Mem. Mat. 9, 313-322 (1985; Zbl 0582.49014)] using an approach based on abstract representation theorems from the theory of \(\Gamma\)-convergence. In the next section convex integrands, which grow faster than a polynomial, are considered. A section is dedicated to the comparison with \textit{P. Marcellini}'s formula to convex function and with polynomial growth [Ann. Mat. Pura Appl., IV. Ser. 117, 139-152 (1978; Zbl 0395.49007)].