Two-Dimensional Riemann Problems: Transonic Shock Waves and Free Boundary Problems

Abstract

We are concerned with global solutions of multidimensional (M-D) Riemann problems for nonlinear hyperbolic systems of conservation laws, focusing on their global configurations and structures. We present some recent developments in the rigorous analysis of two-dimensional (2-D) Riemann problems involving transonic shock waves through several prototypes of hyperbolic systems of conservation laws and discuss some further M-D Riemann problems and related problems for nonlinear partial differential equations. In particular, we present four different 2-D Riemann problems through these prototypes of hyperbolic systems and show how these Riemann problems can be reformulated/solved as free boundary problems with transonic shock waves as free boundaries for the corresponding nonlinear conservation laws of mixed elliptic-hyperbolic type and related nonlinear partial differential equations.

Funding

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council(EP/L015811/1)

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council(EP/V051121/1)