A well posed Riemann problem for the \(p\)-system at a junction (Q875634)

The authors consider the Riemann problem for the \(p\)-system in Eulerian coordinates at a junction connecting \(n\) ducts. The pressure dependence on density is rather general. The aim is to extend the properties of the solution to the standard Riemann problem on the real line to the case of junctions among \(n\) ducts. The problem is well-posed; the sign of the fluid speed is not fixed a priori. The existence and uniqueness of some stationary solutions to the Riemann problem and of their perturbations are proved. They are global with respect to space and time in the subsonic region of the state space. In the supersonic region the uniqueness may fail (an example is given). It is shown that the solution is stable with respect to the \(L_1\) norm.