A quasi-variational problem in nonlinear elasticity (Q1175928)

This paper proves the existence of an equilibrium for a hyper-elastic three-dimensional body \(B\) simply supported by a membrane \(M\). To do this the total energy of the form \(J(w)=F(\psi)-\langle L_ B,\psi\rangle+I(v)-\langle L_ M,v\rangle\) is minimised. Here \(w=\{\psi,v\}\) where \(\psi(x)\) is the co-ordinate of \(B\), \(v\) is the gradient of the vertical displacement of \(M\), \(L_ B\) and \(L_ M\) are fields of forces and \(F\) and \(I\) are energy functionals. The major difficulty is the correct definition of the constraint forcing the body on or above the membrane and this is discussed at length in a very long paper, relaxing the condition to a slightly weaker constraint. Examples are considered.