Linear Flux Function Research Articles

Analytical description of the structure of special discontinuities described by a generalized KdV–Burgers equation

Traveling wave solutions of a generalized KdV–Burgers equation are studied. The nonlinearity is specified as a piecewise linear flux function consisting of four parts. A boundary value shock-structure problem is solved. An analytical solution describing the structures of special discontinuities (undercompressive shocks) is obtained, and the behavior of these solutions is examined for various parameters of the problem.

A Deposition Model: Riemann Problem and Flux-Function Limits of Solutions

The Riemann solutions of a deposition model are shown. A singular flux-function limit of the obtained Riemann solutions is considered. As a result, it is shown that the Riemann solutions of the deposition model just converge to the Riemann solutions of the limit system, the scalar conservation law with a linear flux function involving discontinuous coefficient. Especially, for some initial data, the two-shock Riemann solution of the deposition model tends to the delta-shock Riemann solution of the limit system; by contrast, for some initial data, the two-rarefaction-wave Riemann solution of the deposition model tends to the vacuum Riemann solution of the limit system. Some numerical results exhibiting the formation processes of delta-shocks and vacuum states are presented.

Minimization solutions to conservation laws with non-smooth and non-strictly convex flux

Conservation laws are usually studied in the context of sufficient regularity conditions imposed on the flux function, usually $C^{2}$ and uniform convexity. Some results are proven with the aid of variational methods and a unique minimizer such as Hopf-Lax and Lax-Oleinik. We show that many of these classical results can be extended to a flux function that is not necessarily smooth or uniformly or strictly convex. Although uniqueness a.e. of the minimizer will generally no longer hold, by considering the greatest (or supremum, where applicable) of all possible minimizers, we can successfully extend the results. One specific nonlinear case is that of a piecewise linear flux function, for which we prove existence and uniqueness results. We also approximate it by a smoothed, superlinearized version parameterized by $\varepsilon$ and consider the characterization of the minimizers for the smooth version and limiting behavior as $\varepsilon\downarrow0$ to that of the sharp, polygonal problem. In proving a key result for the solution in terms of the value of the initial condition, we provide a stepping stone to analyzing the system under stochastic processes, which will be explored further in a future paper.

THE DELTA STANDING WAVE SOLUTION FOR THE LINEAR SCALAR CONSERVATION LAW WITH DISCONTINUOUS COEFFICIENTS USING A SELF-SIMILAR VISCOUS REGULARIZATION

This paper is mainly concerned with the formation of delta standing wave for the scalar conservation law with a linear flux function involving discontinuous coefficients by using the self-similar viscosity vanishing method. More precisely, we use the self-similar viscosity to smooth out the discontinuous coefficient such that the existence of approximate viscous solutions to the delta standing wave for the Riemann problem is established and then the convergence to the delta standing wave solution is also obtained when the viscosity parameter tends to zero. In addition, the Riemann problem is also solved with the standard method and the instability of Riemann solutions with respect to the specific small perturbation of initial data is pointed out in some particular situations.

On a regularization of a scalar conservation law with discontinuous coefficients

This paper is devoted to a scalar conservation law with a linear flux function involving discontinuous coefficients. It is clear that the delta standing wave should be introduced into the Riemann solution in some nonclassical situation. In order to study the formation of delta standing wave, we consider a regularization of the discontinuous coefficient with the Helmholtz mollifier and then obtain a regularized system which depends on a regularization parameter ɛ > 0. The regularization mechanism is a nonlinear bending of characteristic curves that prevents their finite-time intersection. It is proved rigorously that the solutions of regularized system converge to the delta standing wave solution in the ɛ → 0 limit. Compared with the classical method of vanishing viscosity, here it is clear to see how the delta standing wave forms naturally along the characteristics.

Formation of Delta Standing Wave for a Scalar Conservation Law with a Linear Flux Function Involving Discontinuous Coefficients

The aim of this paper is to study the formation of delta standing wave for a scalar conservation law with a linear flux function involving discontinuous coefficients. In order to deal with it, we approximate the discontinuous coefficients by piecewise affine ones and then apply the method of characteristics to construct a global solution to the original equation by approximation. Finally, it is proved rigorously that the delta standing wave can be obtained in the limit of the approximate solution as the perturbation parameter tends to zero. In contrast to the classical method of vanishing viscosity, it can be seen clearly here how the delta standing wave forms naturally along the characteristics.

Structural stability of solutions to the Riemann problem for a scalar conservation law

The aim of this paper is to study the structural stability of solutions to the Riemann problem for a scalar conservation law with a linear flux function involving discontinuous coefficients. It is proved that the Riemann solution is possibly instable when one of the Riemann initial data is at the vacuum. Furthermore, we point out that the Riemann solution is also possibly instable even when the Riemann initial data stay far away from vacuum. In order to deal with it, we perturb the Riemann initial data by taking three piecewise constant states and then the global structures and large time asymptotic behaviors of the solutions are obtained constructively. It is also proved that the Riemann solutions are unstable in some certain situations under the local small perturbations of the Riemann initial data by letting the perturbed parameter ε tend to zero. In addition, the interaction of the delta standing wave and the contact vacuum state is considered which appear in the Riemann solutions.

Insights from von Neumann analysis of high-order flux reconstruction schemes

The flux reconstruction (FR) approach unifies various high-order schemes, including collocation based nodal discontinuous Galerkin methods, and all spectral difference methods (at least for a linear flux function), within a single framework. Recently, an infinite number of linearly stable FR schemes were identified, henceforth referred to as Vincent–Castonguay–Jameson–Huynh (VCJH) schemes. Identification of VCJH schemes offers significant insight into why certain FR schemes are stable (whereas others are not), and provides a simple prescription for implementing an infinite range of linearly stable high-order methods. However, various properties of VCJH schemes have yet to be analyzed in detail. In the present study one-dimensional (1D) von Neumann analysis is employed to elucidate how various important properties vary across the full range of VCJH schemes. In particular, dispersion and dissipation properties are studied, as are the magnitudes of explicit time-step limits (based on stability considerations). 1D linear numerical experiments are undertaken in order to verify results of the 1D von Neumann analysis. Additionally, two-dimensional non-linear numerical experiments are undertaken in order to assess whether results of the 1D von Neumann analysis (which is inherently linear) extend to real world problems of practical interest.

On the Non-linear Stability of Flux Reconstruction Schemes

The flux reconstruction (FR) approach unifies various high-order schemes, including collocation based nodal discontinuous Galerkin (DG) methods, and all spectral difference methods (at least for a linear flux function), within a single framework. Recently a new range of linearly stable FR schemes have been identified, henceforth referred to as Vincent-Castonguay-Jameson-Huynh (VCJH) schemes. In this short note non-linear stability properties of FR schemes are elucidated via analysis of linearly stable VCJH schemes (so as to focus attention solely on issues of non-linear stability). It is shown that linearly stable VCJH schemes (at least in their standard form) may be unstable if the flux function is non-linear. This instability is due to aliasing errors, which manifest since FR schemes (in their standard form) utilize a collocation projection at the solution points to construct a polynomial approximation of the flux. Strategies for minimizing such aliasing driven instabilities are discussed within the context of the FR approach. In particular, it is shown that the location of the solution points will have a significant effect on non-linear stability. This result is important, since linear analysis of FR schemes implies stability is independent of solution point location. Finally, it is shown that if an exact L2 projection is employed to construct an approximation of the flux (as opposed to a collocation projection), then aliasing errors and hence aliasing driven instabilities will be eliminated. However, performing such a projection exactly, or at least very accurately, would be more costly than performing a collocation projection, and would certainly impact the inherent efficiency and simplicity of the FR approach. It can be noted that in all above regards, non-linear stability properties of FR schemes are similar to those of nodal DG schemes. The findings should motivate further research into the non-linear performance of FR schemes, which have hitherto been developed and analyzed solely in the context of a linear flux function.

Well-Balanced High Order Extensions of Godunov's Method for Semilinear Balance Laws

This paper is concerned with the development of well-balanced high order numerical schemes for systems of balance laws with a linear flux function, whose coefficients may be variable. First, well-balanced first order numerical schemes are obtained based on the use of exact solvers of Riemann problems that include both the flux and the source terms. Godunov's methods so obtained are extended to higher order schemes by using a technique of reconstruction of states. The main contribution of this paper is to introduce a reconstruction technique that preserves the well-balanced property of Godunov's methods. Some numerical experiments are presented to verify in practice the properties of the developed numerical schemes.