Elastic surface-substrate interactions

A theory for three-dimensional finite deformations of elastic solids with c onforming elastic films attached to their bounding surfaces is described. T he Gurtin-Murdoch theory incorporating elastic resistance of the film to st rain is generalized to account for the effects of intrinsic flexural resist ance. This modification yields a model that can be used to describe equilib rium deformations in the presence of compressive-surface stress fields. An associated variational theory is given and material symmetry considerations are discussed. The theory is illustrated by examples.