A minimization approach to the wave equation on time-dependent domains (Q2216206)

The purpose of this paper is to prove that weak solutions of the homogeneous wave equation on time-dependent domains can be approximated by global minimizers of suitable energy functionals defined as integrals on \([0, \infty)\) with respect to time. This kind of problems occur in dynamic fracture mechanics and leads the wave equation in time-dependent domains. The main difficulty is that at every time \(t\) the solution belongs to a different function space. The proof of the approximation process is based on the approach in [\textit{E. Serra} and \textit{P. Tilli}, J. Eur. Math. Soc. (JEMS) 18, No. 9, 2019--2044 (2016; Zbl 1355.35125)] developed for the nonlinear wave equation. The link between solutions of the hyperbolic wave equation and solutions of minimum problems for integral functionals on the same time domain provides a new proof of the existence of a solution