Unsplit schemes for hyperbolic conservation laws with source terms in one space dimension (Q1360436)

The paper addresses the numerical resolution of hyperbolic systems of conservation laws with source terms. The problem is first investigated in the case of a scalar equation \[ \partial_t u + \partial_x f(u) = g(u). \] The authors point out that the classical schemes are split into the resolution of the homogeneous problem \[ \partial_t u + \partial_x f(u) = 0, \] and the resolution of the ordinary differential equation (ODE) \[ \frac{du}{dt} = g(u) \] along characteristics. Their scheme is instead based upon modified characteristics: \[ \frac{dx}{dt} = u -\frac{g(u)}{\partial_x u}, \] along which \(u\) is conserved. They generalize this idea to systems, by decomposing them to a set of ODEs along paths that depend on the gradients of the solution. The derived scheme is then applied to the Euler equations for chemically reacting flows. Numerical experiments are performed. They show the accuracy and robustness of the scheme in the scalar case. Moreover, the tests concerning the detonations provide an insight into the behaviour of solutions near the Chapman-Jouguet point.