Hyperbolic systems with relaxation: Characterization of stiff well-posedness and asymptotic expansions (Q1304644)

The Cauchy problem for linear constant-coefficient hyperbolic systems \[ u_t+ \sum_j A^{(j)}u_{x_j}= (1/\delta)Bu+ Cu \] in \(d\) space dimensions is analyzed. Here \((1/\delta)Bu\) is a large relaxation term, and we are mostly interested in the critical case where \(B\) has a non-trivial null-space. A concept of stiff well-posedness is introduced that ensures solution estimates independent of \(0<\delta\ll 1\). Stiff well-posedness is characterized algebraically and -- under mild assumptions on \(B\) -- is shown to be equivalent to the existence of a limit of the \(L_2\)-solution as \(\delta\to 0\). The evolution of the limit is governed by a reduced hyperbolic system, the so-called equilibrium system, which is related to the original system by a phase speed condition. We also show that stiff well-posedness -- which is a weaker requirement than the existence of an entropy -- leads to the validity of an asymptotic expansion. As an application, we consider a linearized version of a generic model of two-phase flow in a porous medium and show stiff well-posedness using a general result on strictly hyperbolic systems. To confirm the theory, the leading terms of the asymptotic expansion are computed and compared with a numerical solution of the full problem.