Locally One Dimensional Numerical Methods for Multi-Dimensional Free Surface Problems.

Abstract

Abstract : Research on the numerical solution of free boundary problems for partial differential equations with locally or sequentially one-dimensional methods has been supported by the U.S. Army Research Office through two consecutive 3-year research contracts. The time and resources provided have made it possible to develop a reasonably comprehensive mathematical theory and flexible numerical algorithms on which to base current computational methods and future research. During the first 3-year period, the method of fractional steps and the method of lines were applied to elliptic and parabolic free boundary problems. During the past three years work was directed toward demonstrating the flexibility of the method of lines for increasingly complex problems, on examining the behavior of certain ill-posed elliptic free boundary problems, and on establishing a mathematical theory for sequentially one-dimensional algorithms. (Author)