Non-quasi-convex problems in nonlinear elastostatics (Q792134)

(From the authors' introduction.) This paper describes a study of a class of non-quasi-convex problems in finite elastostatics. The problems of interest here are equilibrium problems in which equilibrium states are characterized as minimizers of a potential energy functional. For non- quasi-convex problems, these minimization problems may not always have a solution. Nevertheless, we associate with each problem a so-called relaxed problem, its quasi-convexification, and give conditions under which the relaxed problem is equivalent to the original one. For the relaxed problem, a solution always exists, and although it may not be a solution of the original problem, we establish in what sense it may be considered a generalized solution of it.