Solvability and optimization for a class of mixed variational problems

Abstract: We consider an abstract mixed variational problem governed by a nonlinear operator $A$ and a bifunctional $J$, in a real reflexive Banach space $X$. The operator $A$ is assumed to be continuous, Lipschitz continuous on each bounded subset of $X,$ and generalized monotone. First, we pay attention to the unique solvability of the problem. Next, we prove a continuous dependence result of the solution with respect to the data. Based on this result we prove the existence of at least one solution for an associated optimization problem. Finally, we apply our abstract results to the well-posedness and the optimization of an antiplane frictional contact model for nonlinearly elastic materials of Hencky-type.