A hierarchy of plate models derived from nonlinear elasticity by gamma-convergence (Q2491099)

The authors use the \(\Gamma\)-convergence method for deriving of a hierarchy of plate models from three-dimensional nonlinear elasticity formulation. In this way, they analyze the membrane theory, von Kármán theory and certain theories of constraints. Different limit models are obtained using different scalings of elastic energy per unit volume and of the strenght of applied force with respect to the thickness of the plate. In the conclusion, the authors summarize the obtained results and, in the case of von Kármán theory, explain how the criticism of Truesdell and Antman can be addressed by means of authors' method. Finally, important open problems are formulated which cannot be approached by means of the \(\Gamma\)-convergence.