Alexander Kurganov

Bio: Alexander Kurganov is an academic researcher from Southern University of Science and Technology. The author has contributed to research in topics: Upwind scheme & Shallow water equations. The author has an hindex of 33, co-authored 116 publications receiving 6021 citations. Previous affiliations of Alexander Kurganov include University of Michigan & University of Science and Technology of China.

Semidiscrete Central-Upwind Schemes for Hyperbolic Conservation Laws and Hamilton--Jacobi Equations

Abstract: We introduce new Godunov-type semidiscrete central schemes for hyperbolic systems of conservation laws and Hamilton--Jacobi equations. The schemes are based on the use of more precise information about the local speeds of propagation and can be viewed as a generalization of the schemes from [A. Kurganov and E. Tadmor, J. Comput. Phys., 160 (2000), pp. 241--282; A. Kurganov and D. Levy, SIAM J. Sci. Comput., 22 (2000), pp. 1461--1488; A. Kurganov and G. Petrova, A third-order semidiscrete genuinely multidimensional central scheme for hyperbolic conservation laws and related problems, Numer. Math., to appear] and [A. Kurganov and E. Tadmor, J. Comput. Phys., 160 (2000), pp. 720--742]. The main advantages of the proposed central schemes are the high resolution, due to the smaller amount of the numerical dissipation, and the simplicity. There are no Riemann solvers and characteristic decomposition involved, and this makes them a universal tool for a wide variety of applications. At the same time, the developed schemes have an upwind nature, since they respect the directions of wave propagation by measuring the one-sided local speeds. This is why we call them central-upwind schemes. The constructed schemes are applied to various problems, such as the Euler equations of gas dynamics, the Hamilton--Jacobi equations with convex and nonconvex Hamiltonians, and the incompressible Euler and Navier--Stokes equations. The incompressibility condition in the latter equations allows us to treat them both in their conservative and transport form. We apply to these problems the central-upwind schemes, developed separately for each of them, and compute the corresponding numerical solutions.

A second-order well-balanced positivity preserving central-upwind scheme for the saint-venant system ∗

Abstract: A family of Godunov-type central-upwind schemes for the Saint-Venant system of shallow water equations has been first introduced in (A. Kurganov and D. Levy, M2AN Math. Model. Numer. Anal., 36, 397-425, 2002). Depending on the reconstruction step, the second-order versions of the schemes there could be made either well-balanced or positivity preserving, but fail to satisfy both properties simultaneously. Here, we introduce an improved second-order central-upwind scheme which, unlike its forerun- ners, is capable to both preserve stationary steady states (lake at rest) and to guarantee the positivity of the computed fluid depth. Another novel property of the proposed scheme is its applicability to models with discontinuous bottom topography. We demonstrate these features of the new scheme, as well as its high resolution and robustness in a number of one- and two-dimensional examples.

Solution of two-dimensional Riemann problems for gas dynamics without Riemann problem solvers

Abstract: We report here on our numerical study of the two-dimensional Riemann problem for the com- pressible Euler equations. Compared with the relatively simple 1-D congurations, the 2-D case consists of a plethora of geometric wave patterns which pose a computational challenge for high- resolution methods. The main feature in the present computations of these 2-D waves is the use of the Riemann-solvers-free central schemes presented in (11). This family of central schemes avoids the intricate and time-consuming computation of the eigensystem of the problem, and hence oers a considerably simpler alternative to upwind methods. The numerical results illustrate that despite their simplicity, the central schemes are able to recover with comparable high-resolution, the various features observed in the earlier, more expensive computations. AMS subject classication: Primary 65M10; Secondary 65M05

Central-upwind schemes for the saint-venant system

Abstract: We present one- and two-dimensional central-upwind schemes for approximating solutions of the Saint-Venant system with source terms due to bottom topography. The Saint-Venant system has steady-state solutions in which nonzero flux gradients are exactly balanced by the source terms. It is a challenging problem to preserve this delicate balance with numerical schemes. Small perturbations of these states are also very dicult to compute. Our approach is based on extending semi-discrete central schemes for systems of hyperbolic conservation laws to balance laws. Special attention is paid to the discretization of the source term such as to preserve stationary steady-state solutions. We also prove that the second-order version of our schemes preserves the nonnegativity of the height of the water. This important feature allows one to compute solutions for problems that include dry areas.

Finite Volume Methods for Hyperbolic Problems

Abstract: Preface 1. Introduction 2. Conservation laws and differential equations 3. Characteristics and Riemann problems for linear hyperbolic equations 4. Finite-volume methods 5. Introduction to the CLAWPACK software 6. High resolution methods 7. Boundary conditions and ghost cells 8. Convergence, accuracy, and stability 9. Variable-coefficient linear equations 10. Other approaches to high resolution 11. Nonlinear scalar conservation laws 12. Finite-volume methods for nonlinear scalar conservation laws 13. Nonlinear systems of conservation laws 14. Gas dynamics and the Euler equations 15. Finite-volume methods for nonlinear systems 16. Some nonclassical hyperbolic problems 17. Source terms and balance laws 18. Multidimensional hyperbolic problems 19. Multidimensional numerical methods 20. Multidimensional scalar equations 21. Multidimensional systems 22. Elastic waves 23. Finite-volume methods on quadrilateral grids Bibliography Index.

Linear and nonlinear waves, by G. B. Whitham. Pp.636. £50. 1999. ISBN 0 471 35942 4 (Wiley).

Abstract: to be done in this area. Face recognition is a problem that scarcely clamoured for attention before the computer age but, having surfaced, has involved a wide range of techniques and has attracted the attention of some fine minds (David Mumford was a Fields Medallist in 1974). This singular application of mathematical modelling to a messy applied problem of obvious utility and importance but with no unique solution is a pretty one to share with students: perhaps, returning to the source of our opening quotation, we may invert Duncan's earlier observation, 'There is an art to find the mind's construction in the face!'.

Geophysical fluid dynamics.

Abstract: The potential for sea ice-albedo feedback to give rise to nonlinear climate change in the Arctic Ocean – defined as a nonlinear relationship between polar and global temperature change or, equivalently, a time-varying polar amplification – is explored in IPCC AR4 climate models. Five models supplying SRES A1B ensembles for the 21 st century are examined and very linear relationships are found between polar and global temperatures (indicating linear Arctic Ocean climate change), and between polar temperature and albedo (the potential source of nonlinearity). Two of the climate models have Arctic Ocean simulations that become annually sea ice-free under the stronger CO 2 increase to quadrupling forcing. Both of these runs show increases in polar amplification at polar temperatures above-5 o C and one exhibits heat budget changes that are consistent with the small ice cap instability of simple energy balance models. Both models show linear warming up to a polar temperature of-5 o C, well above the disappearance of their September ice covers at about-9 o C. Below-5 o C, surface albedo decreases smoothly as reductions move, progressively, to earlier parts of the sunlit period. Atmospheric heat transport exerts a strong cooling effect during the transition to annually ice-free conditions. Specialized experiments with atmosphere and coupled models show that the main damping mechanism for sea ice region surface temperature is reduced upward heat flux through the adjacent ice-free oceans resulting in reduced atmospheric heat transport into the region.

Toward a mathematical theory of Keller–Segel models of pattern formation in biological tissues

Abstract: This paper proposes a survey and critical analysis focused on a variety of chemotaxis models in biology, namely the classical Keller–Segel model and its subsequent modifications, which, in several cases, have been developed to obtain models that prevent the non-physical blow up of solutions. The presentation is organized in three parts. The first part focuses on a survey of some sample models, namely the original model and some of its developments, such as flux limited models, or models derived according to similar concepts. The second part is devoted to the qualitative analysis of analytic problems, such as the existence of solutions, blow-up and asymptotic behavior. The third part deals with the derivation of macroscopic models from the underlying description, delivered by means of kinetic theory methods. This approach leads to the derivation of classical models as well as that of new models, which might deserve attention as far as the related analytic problems are concerned. Finally, an overview of the entire contents leads to suggestions for future research activities.