The structure of the breakdown front

Abstract

An analytic treatment of the breakdown front is given, using a simplified set of fluid equations, and assuming the existence of a steady-state reference frame. Key quantities are derived, such as the densities at the peak and far from the peak, and the scale lengths for the main variables close to the front. These results should permit testing of computational models, which should employ a more accurate set of fluid equations, and may be useful in deriving macroscopic models which do not resolve the length scales identified.