Two-Dimensional Riemann Problems for the Compressible Euler System

Riemann problems for the compressible Euler system in two space dimensions are complicated and difficult,but a viable alternative remains missing.The author lists merits of one-dimensional Riemann problems and compares them with those for the current two-dimensional Riemann problems,to illustrate their worthiness.Two-dimensional Riemann problems are approached via the methodology promoted by Andy Majda in the spirits of modern applied mathematics;that is,simplified model is built via asymptotic analysis,numerical simulation and theoretical analysis.A simplified model called the pressure gradient system is derived from the full Euler system via an asymptotic process.State-of-the-art numerical methods in numerical simulations are used to discern small-scale structures of the solutions,e.g.,semi-hyperbolic patches.Analytical methods are used to establish the validity of the structure revealed in the numerical simulation.The entire process,used in many of Majda's programs,is shown here for the two-dimensional Riemann problems for the compressible Euler systems of conservation laws.