Periodic homogenization of G-equations and viscosity effects

Abstract

G-equations are well-known front propagation models in combustion and are Hamilton–Jacobi type equations with convex but non-coercive Hamiltonians. Viscous G-equations arise from numerical discretization or modeling dissipative mechanisms. Although viscosity helps to overcome non-coercivity, we prove homogenization of an inviscid G-equation based on approximate correctors and attainability of controlled flow trajectories. We verify the attainability for two-dimensional mean zero incompressible flows, and demonstrate asymptotically and numerically that viscosity reduces the homogenized Hamiltonian in cellular flows. In the case of one-dimensional compressible flows, we found an explicit formula of homogenized Hamiltonians, as well as necessary and sufficient conditions for wave trapping (effective Hamiltonian vanishes identically). Viscosity restores coercivity and wave propagation.