Invariantization of the Crank-Nicolson method for Burgers’ equation

In this article, a geometric technique to construct numerical schemes for partial differential equations (PDEs) that inherit Lie symmetries is proposed. The moving frame method enables one to adjust the numerical schemes in a geometric manner and systematically construct proper invariant versions of them. To illustrate the method, we study invariantization of the Crank-Nicolson scheme for Burgers’ equation. With careful choice of normalization equations, the invariantized schemes are shown to surpass the standard scheme, successfully removing numerical oscillation around sharp transition layers.