On the compactness of the stable set for rate-independent processes (Q1423934)

This paper deals with the following problem. Let \(X\) be a separable Banach space, \(T>0\) be a fixed time, \(I:[0,T]\times X\to\mathbb{R}\cup\{\infty\}\) be an energy functional, \(\Delta:X\to\mathbb{R}_+\cup\{0\}\) be a dissipation functional, and \(P\subseteq X\) be a closed and convex set. The problem is to find a process \(z:[0,T]\to X\) such that, for almost every \(t\in[0,T]\), and \(0\leq s\leq t\leq T\), \[ I(t,z(t))\leq I(t,y)+\Delta(y-z(t))\;\;\forall y\in P, \] \[ I(t,z(t))+\int_s^t\Delta(dz)\leq I(s,z(s))+\int_s^t\partial_t I(\sigma,z(\sigma))\,d\sigma. \] Such a problem may be seen as a formulation for the evolution of some systems exhibiting rate-independence. In this context, rate-independence means that a solution \(z\) remains a solution if the time is rescaled. The problem was recently formulated and studied by \textit{A. Mielke} and \textit{F. Theil} [NoDEA, Nonlinear Differ. Equ. Appl. 11, 151--189 (2004; Zbl 1061.35182)], who gave an existence result for the solution. In particular, they got such a result assuming that the set \[ S(t)=\{z\in P\mid I(t,z)\leq I(t,y)+\Delta(y-z)\;\forall y\in P\} \] is weakly closed in \(X\). The present work gets rid of this assumption, proving that, under natural hypotheses, \(S(t)\) is strong compact in \(X\). Applications are given to some hysteresis models for ferromagnetism.