Integral Equation Method for the First and Second Problems of the Stokes System

Abstract

Using the integral equation method we study solutions of boundary value problems for the Stokes system in Sobolev space H1(G) in a bounded Lipschitz domain G with connected boundary. A solution of the second problem with the boundary condition \(\partial {\bf u}/\partial {\bf n} -p{\bf n}={\bf g}\) is studied both by the indirect and the direct boundary integral equation method. It is shown that we can obtain a solution of the corresponding integral equation using the successive approximation method. Nevertheless, the integral equation is not uniquely solvable. To overcome this problem we modify this integral equation. We obtain a uniquely solvable integral equation on the boundary of the domain. If the second problem for the Stokes system is solvable then the solution of the modified integral equation is a solution of the original integral equation. Moreover, the modified integral equation has a form f + Sf = g, where S is a contractive operator. So, the modified integral equation can be solved by the successive approximation. Then we study the first problem for the Stokes system by the direct integral equation method. We obtain an integral equation with an unknown \({\bf g}=\partial {\bf u}/\partial {\bf n} -p{\bf n}\). But this integral equation is not uniquely solvable. We construct another uniquely solvable integral equation such that the solution of the new eqution is a solution of the original integral equation provided the first problem has a solution. Moreover, the new integral equation has a form \({\bf g}+\tilde S{\bf g}={\bf f}\), where \(\tilde S\) is a contractive operator, and we can solve it by the successive approximation.