On a class of scalar variational inequalities with measure data

We consider a class of variational inequalities defining the so-called hysteresis play operator. We propose a new approach to discontinuous BV-solutions based on measure theoretical arguments, which enable us to infer the existence of solutions as a simple consequence of the classical theory. In this way, we generalize a recent result where only continuous BV-solutions were studied. We also provide a representation formula which allows to deduce the continuity of the play operator from general theorems on hysteresis operators.