Abstract. We study a relaxation scheme of the Jin and Xin type for conservation laws with a flux function that depends discontinuously on the spatial location through a coefficient k(x). If k ∈ BV, we show that the relaxation scheme produces a sequence of approximate solutions that converge to a weak solution. The Murat–Tartar compensated compactness method is used to establish convergence. We present numerical experiments with the relaxation scheme, and comparisons are made with a front tracking scheme based on an exact 2 × 2 Riemann solver. 1.

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Summary. The paper has two main themes: The first theme is to give the reader an introduction to modern methods for systems of conservation laws. To this end, we start by introducing two classical schemes, the Lax–Friedrichs scheme and the Lax–Wendroff scheme. Using a simple example, we show how these two schemes fail to give accurate approximations to solutions containing discontinuities. We then introduce a general class of semi-discrete finite-volume schemes that are designed to produce accurate resolution of both smooth and nonsmooth parts of the solution. Using this special class we wish to introduce the reader to the basic principles used to design modern high-resolution schemes. As examples of systems of conservation laws, we consider the shallow-water equations for water waves and the Euler equations for the dynamics of an ideal gas. The second theme in the paper is how programmable graphics processor units (GPUs or graphics cards) can be used to efficiently compute numerical solutions of these systems. In contrast to instruction driven micro-processors (CPUs), GPUs subscribe to the data-stream-based computing paradigm and have been optimised for high throughput of large data streams. Most modern numerical methods for hyperbolic conservation laws are explicit schemes defined over a grid, in which the unknowns at each grid point or in each grid cell can be updated independently of the others. Therefore such methods are particularly attractive for implementation using data-stream-based processing. 1

We study longitudinal elastic strain waves in a one-dimensional periodically-layered medium, alternating between two materials with dierent densities and stress-strain relations. If the impedances are dierent, dispersive eects are seen due to reection at the interfaces. When the stress-strain relations are nonlinear, the combination of dispersion and nonlinearity leads to the appearance of solitary waves that interact like solitons. We study the scaling properties of these solitary waves and derive a homogenized system of equations that includes dispersive terms. We show that pseudo-spectral solutions to these equations agree well with direct solutions of the hyperbolic conservation laws in the layered medium using a high-resolution nite volume method. For particular parameters we also show how the layered medium can be related to the Toda lattice, which has discrete soliton solutions.

Abstract. The equations of isothermal gas dynamics are studied in the limit when the sound speed vanishes, giving the so-called pressureless gas equations. The collision of two clouds of dust is modeled with these equations in the case where the clouds have finite extent and are surrounded by vacuum. The delta shock that arises in the initial stage of the collision evolves into a delta rarefaction-shock and then into a delta double-rarefaction as first one cloud and then the other is fully accreted into the singularity. A high-resolution finite volume method that captures this behavior is also presented and numerical results shown. 1

An extension of the wave propagation algorithm first introduced by LeVeque [J. Comp. Phys. 131, 327-353 (1997)] is developed for hyperbolic systems on a general curved manifold. This extension is important in a variety of applications, including the propagation of sound waves on a curved surface, shallow water flow on the surface of the Earth, shallow water magnetohydrodynamics in the solar tachocline, and relativistic hydrodynamics in the presence of compact objects such as neutron stars and black holes. As is the case for the Cartesian wave propagation algorithm, this new approach is second order accurate for smooth flows and high-resolution shockcapturing. The algorithm is formulated such that scalar variables are numerically conserved and vector variables have a geometric source term that is naturally incorporated into a modified Riemann solver. Furthermore, all necessary one-dimensional Riemann problems are solved in a locally valid orthonormal basis. This orthonormalization allows one to solve Cartesian Riemann problems that are devoid of geometric terms. The new method is tested via application to the linear wave equation on a curved manifold as well as the shallow water equations on part of a sphere. The proposed algorithm has been implemented in the software package clawpack and is freely available on the web.

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We describe the extension of high resolution finite volume methods and adaptive refinement for the shallow water equations in the context of tsunami modeling. Godunov-type methods have been used extensively for modeling the shallow water equations in many contexts, however, tsunami modeling presents some unique challenges that must be overcome. We describe some of the specific difficulties associated with tsunami modeling, and summarize some numerical approaches that we have used to overcome these challenges. For instance, we have developed a well-balanced Riemann solver that is appropriate in the deep ocean regime as well as robust in near-shore and dry regions. Additionally, we have extended adaptive refinement algorithms to this application. We briefly describe some of the modifications necessary for using these adaptive methods for tsunami modeling.

We present a class of augmented approximate Riemann solvers for the shallow water equations in the presence of a variable bottom surface. These belong to the class of simple approximate solvers that use a set of propagating jump discontinuities, or waves, to approximate the true Riemann solution. Typically, a simple solver for a system of m conservation laws uses m such discontinuities. We present a four wave solver for use with the the shallow water equations—a system of two equations in one dimension. The solver is based on a decomposition of an augmented solution vector—the depth, momentum as well as momentum flux and bottom surface. By decomposing these four variables into four waves the solver is endowed with several desirable properties simultaneously. This solver is well-balanced: it maintains a large class of steady states by the use of a properly defined steady state wave—a stationary jump discontinuity in the Riemann solution that acts as a source term. The form of this wave is introduced and described in detail. The solver also maintains depth nonnegativity and extends naturally to Riemann problems with an initial dry state. These are important properties for applications with steady states and inundation, such as tsunami and flood modeling. Implementing the solver with LeVeque’s wave propagation algorithm [25] is also described. Several numerical simulations are shown, including a test problem for tsunami modeling. Key words: shallow water equations, hyperbolic conservation laws, finite volume methods, Godunov methods, Riemann solvers, wave propagation, shock capturing methods, tsunami modeling

Abstract. We consider a model for dusty gas flow that consists of the compressible Euler equations for the gas coupled to a similar (but pressureless) system of equations for the mass, momentum, and energy of the dust. These sets of equations are coupled via drag terms and heat transfer. A high-resolution wave-propagation algorithm is used to solve the equations numerically. The one-dimensional algorithm is shown to give agreement with a shock tube test problem in the literature. The two-dimensional algorithm has been applied to model expolsive volcanic eruptions in which an axisymmetric jet of hot dusty gas is injected into the atmosphere and the expected behavior is observed at two different vent velocities. The methodology described here, with extensions to three dimensions and adaptive mesh refinement, is being used for more detailed studies of volcanic jet processes. Key words. Finite volume methods, high-resolution methods, volcanic flows, dusty gas, plumes, jets, shocks