The Riemann problem for a generalized Burgers equation with spatially decaying sound speed. I Large-time asymptotics

In this paper, we consider the classical Riemann problem for a generalized Burgers equation, $$u_t+h_{\alpha }(x)u{u}_x=u_{xx},$$ with a spatially dependent, nonlinear sound speed, $h_{\alpha }(x)\equiv {(1+x^2)}^{?\alpha }$ with $\alpha >0$, which decays algebraically with increasing distance from a fixed spatial origin. When $\alpha =0$, this reduces to the classical Burgers equation. In this first part of a pair of papers, we focus attention on the large-time structure of the associated Riemann problem, and obtain its detailed structure, as $t\to \infty$, via the method of matched asymptotic coordinate expansions (this uses the classical method of matched asymptotic expansions, with the asymptotic parameters being the independent coordinates in the evolution problem; this approach is developed in detail in the monograph of Leach and Needham, as referenced in the text), over all parameter ranges. We identify a significant bifurcation in structure at $\alpha =\frac{1}{2}$.