No label defined (Q4354470)

In this doctoral thesis the author considers the problem of minimizing the functional \[ I(u)= \int_\Omega W\bigl(\nabla u(x)\bigr) dx-\int_\Gamma {\partial W\over \partial F} (F_0) \nu(x) \cdot \bigl[u(x) -F_0x \bigr]dx \] over sufficiently smooth functions \(u:\Omega \subset \mathbb{R}^n \to\mathbb{R}^m\) that coincide on \(\partial\Omega \setminus\Gamma\) with the linear function \(x\mapsto F_0x\), where \(F_0\in \mathbb{R}^{m \times n}\). Here, \(\Gamma\) denotes a free boundary part. The author is concerned with conditions on \(W\), weaker than convexity, guaranteeing that the associated Euler-Lagrange equations are sufficient for a minimum. Using the concept of null Lagrangian, he defines and studies the notion polyconvexity at the boundary (pcb), which is weaker than convexity but stronger than quasiconvexity at the boundary introduced by \textit{J. M. Ball} and \textit{J. E. Marsden} [Arch. Ration. Mech. Anal. 86, 251-277 (1984; Zbl 0552.73006)]. It turns out that pcb is an adequate assumption for treating certain problems in three-dimensional nonlinear elasticity theory. In particular, a modified stability concept for a minimizer is studied in connection with pcb. Finally, the special case of quadratic functionals, i.e., linear theory, is considered.