Global existence, uniqueness and stability for nonlinear dissipative bulk-interface interaction systems

We show global well-posedness and exponential stability of equilibria for a general class of nonlinear dissipative bulk-interface systems. They correspond to thermodynamically consistent gradient structure models of bulk-interface interaction. The setting includes nonlinear slow and fast diffusion in the bulk and nonlinear coupled diffusion on the interface. Additional driving mechanisms can be included and non-smooth geometries and coefficients are admissible, to some extent. An important application are volume-surface reaction-diffusion systems with nonlinear coupled diffusion.Comment: 21 page

The cutoff method for the numerical computation of nonnegative solutions of parabolic PDEs with application to anisotropic diffusion and lubrication-type equations

The cutoff method, which cuts off the values of a function less than a given number, is studied for the numerical computation of nonnegative solutions of parabolic partial differential equations. A convergence analysis is given for a broad class of finite difference methods combined with cutoff for linear parabolic equations. Two applications are investigated, linear anisotropic diffusion problems satisfying the setting of the convergence analysis and nonlinear lubrication-type equations for which it is unclear if the convergence analysis applies. The numerical results are shown to be consistent with the theory and in good agreement with existing results in the literature. The convergence analysis and applications demonstrate that the cutoff method is an effective tool for use in the computation of nonnegative solutions. Cutoff can also be used with other discretization methods such as collocation, finite volume, finite element, and spectral methods and for the computation of positive solutions.Comment: 19 pages, 41 figure

First-Order System Least Squares and the Energetic Variational Approach for Two-Phase Flow

This paper develops a first-order system least-squares (FOSLS) formulation for equations of two-phase flow. The main goal is to show that this discretization, along with numerical techniques such as nested iteration, algebraic multigrid, and adaptive local refinement, can be used to solve these types of complex fluid flow problems. In addition, from an energetic variational approach, it can be shown that an important quantity to preserve in a given simulation is the energy law. We discuss the energy law and inherent structure for two-phase flow using the Allen-Cahn interface model and indicate how it is related to other complex fluid models, such as magnetohydrodynamics. Finally, we show that, using the FOSLS framework, one can still satisfy the appropriate energy law globally while using well-known numerical techniques.Comment: 22 pages, 8 figures submitted to Journal of Computational Physic

A discontinuous Galerkin method for a new class of Green-Naghdi equations on simplicial unstructured meshes

In this paper, we introduce a discontinuous Finite Element formulation on simplicial unstructured meshes for the study of free surface flows based on the fully nonlinear and weakly dispersive Green-Naghdi equations. Working with a new class of asymptotically equivalent equations, which have a simplified analytical structure, we consider a decoupling strategy: we approximate the solutions of the classical shallow water equations supplemented with a source term globally accounting for the non-hydrostatic effects and we show that this source term can be computed through the resolution of scalar elliptic second-order sub-problems. The assets of the proposed discrete formulation are: (i) the handling of arbitrary unstructured simplicial meshes, (ii) an arbitrary order of approximation in space, (iii) the exact preservation of the motionless steady states, (iv) the preservation of the water height positivity, (v) a simple way to enhance any numerical code based on the nonlinear shallow water equations. The resulting numerical model is validated through several benchmarks involving nonlinear wave transformations and run-up over complex topographies

A Hybrid High-Order method for nonlinear elasticity

In this work we propose and analyze a novel Hybrid High-Order discretization of a class of (linear and) nonlinear elasticity models in the small deformation regime which are of common use in solid mechanics. The proposed method is valid in two and three space dimensions, it supports general meshes including polyhedral elements and nonmatching interfaces, enables arbitrary approximation order, and the resolution cost can be reduced by statically condensing a large subset of the unknowns for linearized versions of the problem. Additionally, the method satisfies a local principle of virtual work inside each mesh element, with interface tractions that obey the law of action and reaction. A complete analysis covering very general stress-strain laws is carried out, and optimal error estimates are proved. Extensive numerical validation on model test problems is also provided on two types of nonlinear models.Comment: 29 pages, 7 figures, 4 table

Flow Characteristics in a Crowded Transport Model

The aim of this paper is to discuss the appropriate modelling of in- and outflow boundary conditions for nonlinear drift-diffusion models for the transport of particles including size exclusion and their effect on the behaviour of solutions. We use a derivation from a microscopic asymmetric exclusion process and its extension to particles entering or leaving on the boundaries. This leads to specific Robin-type boundary conditions for inflow and outflow, respectively. For the stationary equation we prove the existence of solutions in a suitable setup. Moreover, we investigate the flow characteristics for small diffusion, which yields the occurence of a maximal current phase in addition to well-known one-sided boundary layer effects for linear drift-diffusion problems. In a one-dimensional setup we provide rigorous estimates in terms of $\epsilon$, which confirm three different phases. Finally, we derive a numerical approach to solve the problem also in multiple dimensions. This provides further insight and allows for the investigation of more complicated geometric setups

Elliptic equations with transmission and Wentzell boundary conditions and an application to steady water waves in the presence of wind

In this paper, we present results about the existence and uniqueness of solutions of elliptic equations with transmission and Wentzell boundary conditions. We provide Schauder estimates and existence results in H\"older spaces. As an application, we develop an existence theory for small-amplitude two-dimensional traveling waves in an air-water system with surface tension. The water region is assumed to be irrotational and of finite depth, and we permit a general distribution of vorticity in the atmosphere.Comment: 33 page

Some discrete maximum principles arising for nonlinear elliptic finite element problems

The discrete maximum principle (DMP) is an important measure of the qualitative reliability of the applied numerical scheme for elliptic problems. This paper starts with formulating simple sufficient conditions for the matrix case and for nonlinear forms in Banach spaces. Then a DMP is derived for finite element solutions for certain nonlinear partial differential equations: we address nonlinear elliptic problems with mixed boundary conditions and interface conditions, allowing possibly degenerate nonlinearities and thus extending our previous results