On the Föppl-von Kármán theory for elastic prestrained films with varying thickness

Abstract

We derive the variational limiting theory of thin films, parallel to the Föppl-von Kármán theory in the nonlinear elasticity, for films that have been prestrained and whose thickness is a general non-constant function. Using $\Gamma$-convergence, we extend the existing results to the variable thickness setting, calculate the associated Euler-Lagrange equations of the limiting energy, and analyze the convergence of equilibria. The resulting formulas display the interrelation between deformations of the geometric mid-surface and components of the growth tensor.

26 pages,1 figure