Self-similar solutions for a fractional thin film equation governing hydraulic fractures (Q748461)

The authors consider a one dimensional model of hydraulic fracture. They reduce the problem to the study of a nonlocal parabolic equation including a fractional Laplace operator, a generalization of the thin film equation. In this respect, one of the boundary conditions involves a positive parameter \(K\) (toughness) playing the role of the contact angle of thin film theory. They construct a set of self-similar solutions classified by specific values of \(K\).