Abstract
We consider a generalization of the Kelvin-Voigt model where the elastic part of the Cauchy stress depends non-linearly on the linearized strain and the dissipative part of the Cauchy stress is a nonlinear function of the symmetric part of the velocity gradient. The assumption that the Cauchy stress depends non-linearly on the linearized strain can be justified if one starts with the assumption that the kinematical quantity, the left Cauchy-Green stretch tensor, is a nonlinear function of the Cauchy stress, and linearizes under the assumption that the displacement gradient is small.
Long-time and large data existence, uniqueness and regularity properties of weak solution to such a generalized Kelvin-Voigt model are established for the non-homogeneous mixed boundary value problem. The main novelty with regard to the mathematical analysis consists in including nonlinear (non-quadratic) dissipation in the problem.