k-quasiconvexity reduces to quasiconvexity

The relation between quasi-convexity and k-quasiconvexity (k greater than or equal to 2) is investigated. It is shown that every smooth strictly k-quasi-convex integrand with p-growth at infinity, p > 1, is the restriction to kth-order symmetric tensors of a quasiconvex function with the same growth. When the smoothness condition is dropped, it is possible to prove an approximation result. As a consequence, lower semicontinuity results for kth-order variational problems are deduced as corollaries of well-known first-order theorems. This generalizes a previous work by Dal Maso et al., in which the case where k = 2 was treated

Rigidity for perimeter inequalities under symmetrization: state of the art and open problems

We review some classical results in symmetrization theory, some recent progress in understanding rigidity, and indicate some open problems

Stability of the Steiner symmetrization of convex sets

The isoperimetric inequality for Steiner symmetrization of any codimension is investigated and the equality cases are characterized. Moreover, a quantitative version of this inequality is proven for convex sets

Quasistatic crack evolution for a cohesive zone model with different response to loading and unloading: a Young measures approach

A new approach to irreversible quasistatic fracture growth is given, by means of Young measures. The study concerns a cohesive zone model with prescribed crack path, when the material gives different responses to loading and unloading phases. In the particular situation of constant unloading response, the result contained in [G. Dal Maso, C. Zanini: Quasi-static crack growth for a cohesive zone model with prescribed crack path. Proc. Roy. Soc. Edinburgh Sect. A, 137A (2007), 253–279.] is recovered. In this case, the convergence of the discrete time approximations is improved

Adjoint methods for obstacle problems and weakly coupled systems of PDE

The adjoint method, recently introduced by Evans, is used to study obstacle problems, weakly coupled systems, cell problems for weakly coupled systems of Hamilton--Jacobi equations, and weakly coupled systems of obstacle type. In particular, new results about the speed of convergence of some approximation procedures are derived

Essential connectedness and the rigidity problem for Gaussian symmetrization

We provide a geometric characterization of rigidity of equality cases in Ehrhard's symmetrization inequality for Gaussian perimeter. This condition is formulated in terms of a new measure-theoretic notion of connectedness for Borel sets, inspired by Federer's definition of indecomposable current.Comment: 38 page

A new method for large time behavior of degenerate viscous Hamilton--Jacobi equations with convex Hamiltonians

We investigate large-time asymptotics for viscous Hamilton--Jacobi equations with possibly degenerate diffusion terms. We establish new results on the convergence, which are the first general ones concerning equations which are neither uniformly parabolic nor first order. Our method is based on the nonlinear adjoint method and the derivation of new estimates on long time averaging effects. It also extends to the case of weakly coupled systems