Index determination and calculation of consistent initial values for DAEs (Q815243)

Systems of differential algebraic equations (DAEs) are classified via index concepts, where several approaches exist. \textit{R. März} [Result. Math. 42, No. 3--4, 308--338 (2002; Zbl 1047.34005)] provided the tractability index in case of linear DAEs with properly stated leading terms. Thereby, a matrix function sequence, which is not unique, results from a projector technique. In the paper at hand, a numerical method is constructed to determine this tractability index in case of such DAEs. The strategy employs several singular value decompositions of the arising matrices in the projector technique. The use of a generalised inverse is crucial in the method. A detailed analysis identifies the free parameters in the construction of the matrix function sequence. Householder transformations yield the required generalised inverse, where the free parameters can be set to zero, for example. Furthermore, the author discusses the determination of consistent initial values in case of tractability index 2 for a broader class of quasilinear DAEs. The examinations are based on previous work by \textit{D. Estévez Schwarz} [Berlin: Humboldt-Univ., Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Fakultät II, electronic (2000; Zbl 1021.65042)], where the classical tractability index was applied. In the constructed technique, specifications by the user can be included to identify appropriate initial values for the underlying application problem. Corresponding numerical methods to determine the index or consistent initial values (in case of index 2) are realised with MATLAB. Although the theoretical part of the work considers linear or quasilinear DAEs, the algorithm is designed for more general nonlinear systems. Thereby, DAEs with properly stated leading terms are always presumed in the paper. The author uses his method to determine the index correctly for eight examples, where values from 2 to 5 arise. Moreover, a sufficiently accurate computation of the projection matrices is verified. The determination of consistent initial values applying the constructed algorithm is also presented for one example of index 2. Thus the achieved results indicate that the designed method represents an adequate strategy for automatic index determination and index monitoring during a numerical simulation in case of DAEs with properly stated leading terms.