Variational problems in thin elastic structures

Abstract

For two different scenarios regarding thin elastic structures, described by 2d-F\"oppl-von K\'arm\'an plate models, we obtain energy scaling laws. Firstly, assuming the reference geometry being that of a singular excess-cone, we obtain fairly optimal upper- and lower energy bounds and we highlight how those bounds scale wrt. the thickness-parameter $h.$ Secondly, we consider the half sphere, while being indented by a thin object at the top and perpendicular to its surface. In this situation we provide an energy-scaling law, for radial symmetric admissible maps, this time, depending on $h$ and the indentation depth $d.$