Non-optimality of conical parts for Newton's problem of minimal resistance in the class of convex bodies and the limiting case of infinite height (Q2065063)

The authors deal with the Newton problem of minimal resistance for a three dimensional body with a base \(\Omega\subset \mathbb{R}^2\) traveling in the negative \(z-\)direction. The upper boundary is given by \(\Omega\times \{0\}\) and the lower boundary is expressed by the graph of a function \(u:\Omega \to [-M,0],\) where \(M>0\) is the height of the body. Under the assumption of the very rare medium around the body is the resistance expressed by \[ J(u)=\dfrac{1}{|\nabla u|^2+1}dx\wedge dy. \] The problem is solved in the class of convex functions defined on the convex set \(\Omega\). The non-optimality result of the authors concerns the case \(M\to +\infty.\) Moreover they show that certain conical parts contained in the boundary inhibit the optimality in the classical Newton problem with a finite height.