Remarks on the theory of elasticity

In compressible Neohookean elasticity one minimizes functionals which are composed by the sum of the $L^2$ norm of the deformation gradient and a nonlinear function of the determinant of the gradient. Non-interpenetrability of matter is then represented by additional invertibility conditions. An existence theory which includes a precise notion of invertibility and allows for cavitation was formulated by Müller and Spector in 1995. It applies, however, only if some $L^p$-norm of the gradient with $p>2$ is controlled (in three dimensions). We first characterize their class of functions in terms of properties of the associated rectifiable current. Then we address the physically relevant $p=2$ case, and show how their notion of invertibility can be extended to $p=2$. The class of functions so obtained is, however, not closed. We prove this by giving an explicit construction.

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