Fast, Robust, Iterative Riemann Solvers for the Shallow Water and Euler Equations

Abstract

Riemann problems are of prime importance in computational fluid dynamics simulations using finite elements or finite volumes discretizations. In some applications, billions of Riemann problems might need to be solved in a single simulation, therefore it is important to have reliable and computationally efficient algorithms to do so. Given the nonlinearity of the flux function in most systems considered in practice, to obtain an exact solution for the Riemann problem explicitly is often not possible, and iterative solvers are required. However, because of issues found with existing iterative solvers like lack of convergence and high computational cost, their use is avoided and approximate solvers are preferred. In this thesis work, motivated by the advances in computer hardware and algorithms in the last years, we revisit the possibility of using iterative solvers to compute the exact solution for Riemann problems. In particular, we focus on the development, implementation, and performance comparison of iterative Riemann solvers for the shallow water and Euler equations. In a one-dimensional homogeneous framework for these systems, we consider several initial guesses and iterative methods for the computation of the Riemann solution. We find that efficient and reliable iterative solvers can be obtained by using recent estimates on the Riemann solution to modify and combine well-known methods. Finally, we consider the application of these solvers in finite volume simulations using the wave propagation algorithms implemented in Clawpack.