The Riemann problem for the system \(u_ t+\sigma _ x=0\) and \((\sigma - f(u))_ t+(\sigma -\mu f(u))=0\) (Q760599)

The propagation of a jump discontinuity is studied for the hyperbolic system \[ u_ t+\sigma_ x=0;\quad (\sigma -f(u))_ t+(\sigma -\mu f(u))=0, \] where \(0<\mu <1\) and f satisfies \(f(0)=0\), \(0<f'(u)\) \(0<f''(u)\) for \(0\leq u\). The initial condition is given as: \[ u(x,0)=u_-\quad if\quad x<0\quad and\quad =0\quad otherwise, \] \[ \sigma (x,0)=\mu f(u_-)\quad if\quad x<0,\quad and\quad =0\quad otherwise,\quad u_->0. \] The system is suggested as a model for the equations of motion of a viscoelastic solid (non-linear Maxwell solid). The solution exists globally in time. Moreover, up to a certain time \(T_{\max}>0\) the propagation of an admissible shock wave satisfying the Rankine-Hugoniot conditions can be asserted. A central aim of the paper is to establish conditions under which \(T_{\max}=+\infty\). \(T_{\max}=+\infty\) is shown for \(u_-\) small and for a special class of problems if \(u_-\) is large. Another goal of the paper is to investigate the asymptotic behaviour of solutions as \(t\to +\infty\). If the traveling wave with velocity \(c=\mu f(u_-)/u_-\) is smooth and \(c<f'(0)\), it is shown that the average speed of propagation of level lines of u converges to c. If \(c\gg f'(0)\), the asymptotic behaviour is described in terms of estimates of the solutions by a traveling wave \({\tilde \sigma}\), \(\tilde u:\) \(\tilde u(t-x/c)<u(t)<u_-,\) \(\lim_{t\to +\infty}\tilde u(t- x/c)=u_-,\) similarly for \(\sigma\). The paper closes with an account of open questions and some concluding remarks.