Analysis of the self-similar solutions of a generalized Burgers equation with nonlinear damping (Q5950084)

Summary: The nonlinear ordinary differential equation resulting from the selfsimilar reduction of a generalized Burgers equation with nonlinear damping \[ u_t+u^\beta u_x+\lambda u^\alpha= {\delta\over 2}u_{xx},\quad -\infty< x< \infty,\;t>0 \] is studied in some detail. Assuming initial conditions at the origin we observe a wide variety of solutions -- (positive) single hump, unbounded or those with a finite zero. The existence and nonexistence of positive bounded solutions with different types of decay (exponential or algebraic) to zero at infinity for specific parameter ranges are proved.