Abstract: | We consider the Signorini problem with Coulomb friction in elasticity. Sufficient conditions of non‐uniqueness are obtained for the continuous model. These conditions are linked to the existence of real eigenvalues of an operator in a Hilbert space. We prove that, under appropriate conditions, real eigenvalues exist for a non‐local Coulomb friction model. Finite element approximation of the eigenvalue problem is considered and numerical experiments are performed. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |