A dual graph-norm refinement indicator for finite volume approximations of the Euler equations (Q1377033)

The aim is to derive two-sided a posteriori error bounds for finite volume approximations on unstructured grids of the two-dimensional motion of inviscid perfect gases. The method is based on the symmetrization of the Euler equations by means of entropy variables and local linearization on each cell. The cell error is then estimated through a dual graph-norm argument, previously developed by the second author and collaborators for linear Friedrichs systems. Afterwards, this estimate is implemented as a refinement indicator into the DLR-\(\tau\)-Code. Three test cases are reported. The first one is a transonic steady flow about an airfoil, involving a strong shock as well as a weak shock. The new refinement indicator seems to detect the weak shock more easily than the ad hoc indicators previously used by the first author and collaborators. Another steady case -- of supersonic flow about a cylinder -- is presented and seems to be solved satisfactory. Finally, an unsteady case, which is one of the benchmarks proposed by \textit{P. Woodward} and \textit{P. Colella} [J. Comput. Phys. 54, 115-173 (1984; Zbl 0573.76057)], is computed. With an adaptive tuning of tolerance bounds when the temporal changes become too small, all the flow phenomena are very well captured. In particular, the dual graph-norm indicator seems more appropriate than the classical ones to treat the contact discontinuity.