Homogenization of a class of nonlinear variational inequalities with applications in fluid film flow

Abstract

The authors consider the homogenization of a class of nonlinear variational inequalities, which include rapid oscillations with respect to a parameter. The homogenization of the corresponding class of differential equations is also studied. The results are applied to some models for the pressure in a thin fluid film fluid between two surfaces which are in relative motion. This is an important problem in the lubrication theory. In particular, the analysis includes the effects of surface roughness on both faces and the phenomenon of cavitation. Moreover, the fluid can be modeled as Newtonian or non-Newtonian by using a Rabinowitsch fluid model.