An existence theorem for generalized von Karman equations

Using techniques from formal asymptotic analysis, the first two authors have recently identified "generalized von Karman equations", which constitute a two-dimensional model for a nonlinearly elastic plate where only a portion of the lateral face is subjected to boundary conditions of von Karman's type, the remaining portion being free. In this Note, we establish an existence theorem for these equations. To this end, we notably adapt a compactness method due to J.-L. Lions. (C) 2001 Academie des sciences/Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.