The nonparametric integral of the Calculus of Variations as a Weierstrass integral: Existence and representation

The definition and properties of an abstract and very general nonparametric integral of the Calculus of Variations is presented. In harmony with the Lewy-McShane approach, the nonparametric integral ∝ f, for set functions ? taking their values in a Banach space E, is defined in terms of its associated parametric integral. For the latter use is made of the abstract parametric integral proposed by Cesari in Rⁿ and then extended to Banach spaces by Breckenridge, Warner, and the authors. A condition (c) is shown to be relevant for the existence of the integral, and is preserved by the nonlinear operation f. Also, for f nonnegative, a Tonelli-type theorem is proved in the sense that the so defined Weierstrass integral ∝ f is always larger than or equal to the corresponding Lebesgue integral, and equality holds if and only if absolute continuity conditions hold. In the proof a suitable martingale is associated and a convergence theorem for martingales is applied. Applications to the calculus of variations will follow.