Suboptimality Estimates for the Semi-Discretized LQR Problem for Parabolic PDEs

The linear quadratic regulator problem (LQR) for parabolic partial differential equations (PDEs) has been understood to be an infinite-dimensional Hilbert space equivalent of the finite-dimensional LQR problem known from mathematical systems theory. The matrix equations from the finite-dimensional case become operator equations in the infinite-dimensional Hilbert space setting. A rigorous convergence theory for the approximation of the infinite-dimensional problem by Galerkin schemes in the space variable has been developed over the past decades. Numerical methods based on this approximation have been proven capable of solving the case of linear parabolic PDEs. Embedding these solvers in a model predictive control (MPC) scheme, also nonlinear systems can be handled. Convergence rates for the approximation in the linear case are well understood in terms of the PDE's solution trajectories, as well as the solution operators of the underlying matrix/operator equations. However, in practice engineers are often interested in suboptimality results in terms of the optimal cost, i.e., evaluation of the quadratic cost functional. In this contribution, we are closing this gap in the theory. (© 2010 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Conserved quantities of some Hamiltonian wave equations after full discretization

Hamiltonian PDEs have some invariant quantities, which would be good to conserve with the numerical integration. In this paper, we concentrate on the nonlinear wave and Schrödinger equations. Under hypotheses of regularity and periodicity, we study how a symmetric space discretization makes that the space discretized system also has some invariants or `nearly' invariants which well approximate the continuous ones. We conjecture some facts which would explain the good numerical approximation of them after time integration when using symplectic Runge-Kutta methods or symmetric linear multistep methods for second-order systems.     

Local Fourier analysis for multigrid with overlapping smoothers applied to systems of PDEs

Since their popularization in the late 1970s and early 1980s, multigrid methods have been a central tool in the numerical solution of the linear and nonlinear systems that arise from the discretization of many PDEs. In this paper, we present a local Fourier analysis (LFA, or local mode analysis) framework for analyzing the complementarity between relaxation and coarse‐grid correction within multigrid solvers for systems of PDEs. Important features of this analysis framework include the treatment of arbitrary finite‐element approximation subspaces, leading to discretizations with staggered grids, and overlapping multiplicative Schwarz smoothers. The resulting tools are demonstrated for the Stokes, curl–curl, and grad–div equations. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Linearly implicit time discretization for free surface problems

Deeper investigation of time discretization for free surface problems is a widely neglected problem. Many existing approaches use an explicit decoupling which is only conditionally stable. Only few unconditionally stable methods are known, and known methods may suffer from too strong numerical dissipativity. They are also usually of first rder only [1, 9]. We are therefore looking for unconditionally stable, minimally dissipative methods of higher order. Linearly implicit Runge-Kutta (LIRK) methods are a class of one-step methods that require the solution of linear systems in each time step of a nonlinear system. They are well suited for discretized PDEs, e.g. parabolic problems [7]. They have been used successfully to solve the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations [5]. We suggest an adaption of these methods for free surface problems and compare different approximations to the Jacobian matrix needed for such methods. (© 2012 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Some new additive Runge–Kutta methods and their applications

We propose some new additive Runge–Kutta methods of orders ranging from 2 to 4 that may be used for solving some nonlinear system of ODEs, especially for the temporal discretization of some nonlinear systems of PDEs with constraints. Only linear ODEs or PDEs need to be solved at each time step with these new methods.     

Exact Traveling-Wave Solutions for Model Geophysical Systems

Exact traveling-wave solutions of time-dependent nonlinear inhomogeneous PDEs, describing several model systems in geophysical fluid dynamics, are found. The reduced nonlinear ODEs are treated as systems of linear algebraic equations in the derivatives. A variety of solutions are found, depending on the rank of the algebraic systems. The geophysical systems include acoustic gravity waves, inertial waves, and Rossby waves. The solutions describe waves which are, in general, either periodic or monoclinic. The present approach is compared with the earlier one due to Grundland (1974) for finding exact solutions of inhomogeneous systems of nonlinear PDEs.     

Birkhoff normal form for splitting methods applied to semilinear Hamiltonian PDEs. Part II. Abstract splitting

We consider Hamiltonian PDEs that can be split into a linear unbounded operator and a regular non linear part. We consider abstract splitting methods associated with this decomposition where no discretization in space is made. We prove a normal form result for the corresponding discrete flow under generic non resonance conditions on the frequencies of the linear operator and on the step size, and under a condition of zero momentum on the nonlinearity. This result implies the conservation of the regularity of the numerical solution associated with the splitting method over arbitrary long time, provided the initial data is small enough. This result holds for rounded numerical schemes avoiding at each step possible high frequency energy drift. We apply these results to nonlinear Schrödinger equations as well as the nonlinear wave equation.     

Birkhoff normal form for splitting methods applied to semilinear Hamiltonian PDEs. Part I. Finite-dimensional discretization

We consider discretized Hamiltonian PDEs associated with a Hamiltonian function that can be split into a linear unbounded operator and a regular nonlinear part. We consider splitting methods associated with this decomposition. Using a finite-dimensional Birkhoff normal form result, we show the almost preservation of the actions of the numerical solution associated with the splitting method over arbitrary long time and for asymptotically large level of space approximation, provided the Sobolev norm of the initial data is small enough. This result holds under generic non-resonance conditions on the frequencies of the linear operator and on the step size. We apply these results to nonlinear Schrödinger equations as well as the nonlinear wave equation.     

On modified method of simplest equation for obtaining exact and approximate solutions of nonlinear PDEs: The role of the simplest equation

The modified method of simplest equation is powerful tool for obtaining exact and approximate solutions of nonlinear PDEs. These solutions are constructed on the basis of solutions of more simple equations called simplest equations. In this paper we study the role of the simplest equation for the application of the modified method of simplest equation. We follow the idea that each function constructed as polynomial of a solution of a simplest equation is a solution of a class of nonlinear PDEs. We discuss three simplest equations: the equations of Bernoulli and Riccati and the elliptic equation. The applied algorithm is as follows. First a polynomial function is constructed on the basis of a simplest equation. Then we find nonlinear ODEs that have the constructed function as a particular solution. Finally we obtain nonlinear PDEs that by means of the traveling-wave ansatz can be reduced to the above ODEs. By means of this algorithm we make a first step towards identification of the above-mentioned classes of nonlinear PDEs.     

Ibragimov-type invariants for a system of two linear parabolic equations

We obtain new semi-invariants for a system of two linear parabolic type partial differential equations (PDEs) in two independent variables under equivalence transformations of the dependent variables only. This is achieved for a class of systems of two linear parabolic type PDEs that correspond to a scalar complex linear (1 + 1) parabolic equation. The complex transformations of the dependent variables which map the complex scalar linear parabolic PDE to itself provide us with real transformations that map the corresponding system of linear parabolic type PDEs to itself with different coefficients in general. The semi-invariants deduced for this class of systems of two linear parabolic type equations correspond to the complex Ibragimov invariants of the complex scalar linear parabolic equation. We also look at particular cases of the system of parabolic type equations when they are uncoupled or coupled in a special manner. Moreover, we address the inverse problem of when systems of linear parabolic type equations arise from analytic continuation of a scalar linear parabolic PDE. Examples are given to illustrate the method implemented.     

The exotic conformal Galilei algebra and nonlinear partial differential equations

The conformal Galilei algebra (cga) and the exotic conformal Galilei algebra (ecga) are applied to construct partial differential equations (PDEs) and systems of PDEs, which admit these algebras. We show that there are no single second-order PDEs invariant under the cga but systems of PDEs can admit this algebra. Moreover, a wide class of nonlinear PDEs exists, which are conditionally invariant under cga. It is further shown that there are systems of nonlinear PDEs admitting ecga with the realisation obtained very recently in [D. Martelli, Y. Tachikawa, Comments on Galilei conformal field theories and their geometric realisation, preprint, arXiv:0903.5184v2 [hep-th], 2009]. Moreover, wide classes of nonlinear systems, invariant under two different 10-dimensional subalgebras of ecga are explicitly constructed and an example with possible physical interpretation is presented.     

Numerical solution of linear and nonlinear partial differential equations using the peridynamic differential operator

This study presents numerical solutions to linear and nonlinear Partial Differential Equations (PDEs) by using the peridynamic differential operator. The solution process involves neither a derivative reduction process nor a special treatment to remove a jump discontinuity or a singularity. The peridynamic discretization can be both in time and space. The accuracy and robustness of this differential operator is demonstrated by considering challenging linear, nonlinear, and coupled PDEs subjected to Dirichlet and Neumann‐type boundary conditions. Their numerical solutions are achieved using either implicit or explicit methods. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 33: 1726–1753, 2017     

State-Constrained Optimization of PDEs via Infinite Penalization Methods

We consider optimization problems constrained by partial differential equations (PDEs) with additional constraints placed on the solution of the PDEs. Specifically, we consider problems involving constraints on the average value of the state in subdomains. We develop a general framework using infinite-valued penalization functions and Clarke generalized gradients to obtain optimality conditions. A numerical example involving a linear elliptic PDE is presented. (© 2012 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Singular fractional differential equations

Fractional differential equations have received increasing attention during recent years since the behavior of many physical systems can be properly described using the fractional order system theory. By fractional analog for Duhamel principle we give the existence-uniqueness result for linear and nonlinear time fractional evolution equations with singularities in corresponding norm in extended Colombeau algebra of generalized functions. In order to find the explicit solutions we use integral representation of the solution obtained via Laplace and Fourier transforms in succession and their inverses. We deal with some nonlinear models with singularities appearing in viscoelasticity and in anomalous processes, extending the results in viscoelasticity, continuum random walk, seismology, continuum mechanics and many other branches of life and science. The main task is finding existence-uniqueness results like in the case of evolution equations with entire derivatives. By examining the fractional evolution equations it turns out that they lead to till now known results from the evolution equations with entire derivatives in limiting case. They give more, behavior of the solution when order of derivatives are inside the intervals of entire points. In this way we can follow the influence of the operators generated by entire derivative in many fractional time evolution PDEs especially with singular initial data, and non-Lipschitz's nonlinear term. Apart from evolution equations we prove also an existence-uniqueness result for an initial value problem with singularities for linear and nonlinear fractional elliptic equation of Helmholtz type and fractional order α, where 1 < Re(α) ≤ 2, with respect to the one variable from R ₊. As a framework, we employ also Colombeau algebra of generalized functions containing fractional derivatives and operations among them in order to deal with the fractional equations with singularities. We apply the same techniques to the fractional Laplace and Poisson equation linear and nonlinear ones. (© 2013 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Solving parabolic problems with different time steps in different regions in space based on domain decomposition methods

We describe a method for solving parabolic partial differential equations (PDEs) using local refinement in time. Different time steps are used in different spatial regions based on a domain decomposition finite element method. Extrapolation methods based on either a linearly implicit mid-point rule or a linearly implicit Euler method are used to integrate in time. Extrapolation methods are a better fit than BDF methods in our context since local time stepping in different spatial regions precludes history information. Some linear and nonlinear examples demonstrate the effectiveness of the method.     

A shift‐adaptive meshfree method for solving a class of initial‐boundary value problems with moving boundaries in one‐dimensional domain

A new shift‐adaptive meshfree method for solving a class of time‐dependent partial differential equations (PDEs) in a bounded domain (one‐dimensional domain) with moving boundaries and nonhomogeneous boundary conditions is introduced. The radial basis function (RBF) collocation method is combined with the finite difference scheme, because, unlike with Kansa's method, nonlinear PDEs can be converted to a system of linear equations. The grid‐free property of the RBF method is exploited, and a new adaptive algorithm is used to choose the location of the collocation points in the first time step only. In fact, instead of applying the adaptive algorithm on the entire domain of the problem (like with other existing adaptive algorithms), the new adaptive algorithm can be applied only on time steps. Furthermore, because of the radial property of the RBFs, the new adaptive strategy is applied only on the first time step; in the other time steps, the adaptive nodes (obtained in the first time step) are shifted. Thus, only one small system of linear equations must be solved (by LU decomposition method) rather than a large linear or nonlinear system of equations as in Kansa's method (adaptive strategy applied to entire domain), or a large number of small linear systems of equations in the adaptive strategy on each time step. This saves a lot in time and memory usage. Also, Stability analysis is obtained for our scheme, using Von Neumann stability analysis method. Results show that the new method is capable of reducing the number of nodes in the grid without compromising the accuracy of the solution, and the adaptive grading scheme is effective in localizing oscillations due to sharp gradients or discontinuities in the solution. The efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed procedure is examined by adaptively solving two difficult benchmark problems, including a regularized long‐wave equation and a Korteweg‐de Vries problem. © 2016Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 32: 1622–1646, 2016     

Fast Fourier Transform Solvers and Preconditioners for Quadratic Spline Collocation

Quadratic Spline Collocation (QSC) methods of optimal order of convergence have been recently developed for the solution of elliptic Partial Differential Equations (PDEs). In this paper, linear solvers based on Fast Fourier Transforms (FFT)are developed for the solution of the QSC equations. The complexity of the FFT solvers is O(N ² log N), where N is the gridsize in one dimension. These direct solvers can handle PDEs with coefficients in one variable or constant, and Dirichlet, Neumann, alternating Dirichlet-Neumann or periodic boundary conditions, along at least one direction of a rectangular domain. General variable coefficient PDEs are handled by preconditioned iterative solvers. The preconditioner is the QSC matrix arising from a constant coefficient PDE. The convergence analysis of the preconditioner is presented. It is shown that, under certain conditions, the convergence rate is independent of the gridsize. The preconditioner is solved by FFT techniques, and integrated with one-step or acceleration methods, giving rise to asymptotically almost optimal linear solvers, with complexity O(N ² log N). Numerical experiments verify the effectiveness of the solvers and preconditioners, even on problems more general than the analysis assumes. The development and analysis of FFT solvers and preconditioners is extended to QSC equations corresponding to systems of elliptic PDEs.     

Symmetry reductions and solutions for pollutant diffusion in a cylindrical system

This study is devoted to investigating transient coupled fluid flow and mass transfer partial differential equations (PDEs) describing pollutant transport in cylindrical coordinates. Symmetry analysis of the system of coupled PDEs is performed and some large Lie algebras are obtained for some special cases of the arbitrary and special choices of constants, and the source term. Optimal systems are constructed for all the admitted symmetries. We perform reductions for different choices of the source term. In some cases invariant solution is sought, however some cases resulted in coupled systems of highly nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs). Imposing realistic boundary conditions and considering a constant source term, we then use the Adomain decomposition techniques to solve the boundary value problem.     

A projection method to solve linear systems in tensor format

In this paper, we propose a method for the numerical solution of linear systems of equations in low rank tensor format. Such systems may arise from the discretisation of PDEs in high dimensions, but our method is not limited to this type of application. We present an iterative scheme, which is based on the projection of the residual to a low dimensional subspace. The subspace is spanned by vectors in low rank tensor format which—similarly to Krylov subspace methods—stem from the subsequent (approximate) application of the given matrix to the residual. All calculations are performed in hierarchical Tucker format, which allows for applications in high dimensions. The mode size dependency is treated by a multilevel method. We present numerical examples that include high‐dimensional convection–diffusion equations.Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.