The modeling of many problems in the applied sciences and engineering is based on concepts of conservation of mass, momentum and energy, leading to systems of conservation laws. Prominent examples are the Maxwell equations of electromagnetics, the Euler and Navier-Stokes equations of fluid dynamics and equations of elasticity and the systems of magnetohydrodynamics of plasma physics.
In this course we shall develop, analyze and apply computational methods suitable for solving systems of conservation laws. We shall begin to discussing fundamental properties of conservation laws, including their ability to generate non-smooth solutions - shocks - from smooth initial conditions, leading to the introduction of weak solutions and entropy conditions.
After an initial discussion of finite difference methods for conservation laws, we introduce finite volume methods as the first major class of methods to study, including accuracy and stability of these methods. We discuss the importance of the numerical flux and approximate Riemann solvers and the extension of finite volume methods to general grids.
For larger and more complex problems, the ability to increase the order of the method is important and we discuss such extensions and the new challenges these introduce. This sets the stage for the development of nonlinear schemes, primarily of the type of essentially non-oscillatory (ENO) and weighted essentially non-oscillatory (WENO) methods. Higher order in time is achieved through the development of strongly stable Runge-Kutta methods (SSP-RK).
As an alternative but closely related techniques we use the last 1/3 of the class on the development and analysis of discontinuous Galerkin methods as a very general and robust high-order accurate extension of finite volume methods. We shall study these methods in some detail, including their mathematical properties and efficient implementation techniques. We emphasize a general approach that allows for the use of general unstructured grids to solve problems in complex geometries.
Time permitting, we extend the discussion to higher order problems such as advection-diffusion problems and, time permitting, to problems with global constraints such as the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations of fluid dynamics.
Throughout the course there will be an emphasis on mastering mathematical as well as computational aspects of the methods
- Professor: Jan S. Hesthaven
- Professor: Deep Ray
- Teacher: Qian Wang
