We propose a new discontinuous finite element method for higher-order initial value problems where the finite element solution exhibits an optimal convergence rate in the L2- norm. We further show that the q-degree discontinuous solution of a differential equation of order m and its first (m-1)-derivatives are strongly superconvergent at the end of each step. We also establish that the q-degree discontinuous solution is superconvergent at the roots of (q+1-m)-degree Jacobi polynomial on each step. Furthermore, we use these results to construct asymptotically correct a posteriori error estimates. Moreover, we design a new discontinuous Galerkin method to solve the wave equation by using a method of lines approach to separate the space and time where we first apply the classical finite element method using p-degree polynomials in space to obtain a system of second-order ordinary differential equations which is solved by our new discontinuous Galerkin method. We provide an error analysis for this new method to show that, on each space-time cell, the discontinuous Galerkin finite element solution is superconvergent at the tensor product of the shifted roots of the Lobatto polynomials in space and the Jacobi polynomial in time. Then, we show that the global L2 error in space and time is convergent. Furthermore, we are able to construct asymptotically correct a posteriori error estimates for both spatial and temporal components of errors. We validate our theory by presenting several computational results for one, two and three dimensions. / Ph. D.

Calculation of propagation constants in particulate matter is an important aspect of wave propagation analysis in engineering disciplines such as satellite comnnication, geophysical exploration, radio astronomy and material science. It is important to understand why different propagation constants produced by different theories are not applicable to a particular problem. Homogenization of the random media using effective medium theories yields the effective propagation constants by effacing the particulate, microscopic nature of the medium. The Maxwell-Gamet and Bruggeman effective medium theories are widely used but their limitations are not always well understood. In this thesis, some of the more complex homogenization theories will only be partially derived or heuristically constructed in order to avoid unnecessary mathematical complexity which does not yield additional physical insight. The intent of this thesis is to elucidate the nature of effective medium theories, discuss the theories' approximations and gain a better global understanding of wave propagation equations. The focus will be on the Maxwell-Garnet and Bruggeman theories because they yield simple relationships and therefore serve as anchors in a sea of myriad approximations. / Master of Science

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This thesis discusses properties arising when finite differences are implemented forsolving the two dimensional wave equation on media with various properties. Both homogeneous and heterogeneous surfaces are considered. The time derivative of the wave equation is discretised using a weighted central difference scheme, dependenton a variable parameter gamma. Stability and convergence properties are studied forsome different values of gamma. The report furthermore features an introduction to solving large sparse linear systems of equations, using so-called multigrid methods.The linear systems emerge from the finite difference discretisation scheme. Aconclusion is drawn stating that values of gamma in the unconditionally stable region provides the best computational efficiency. This holds true as the multigrid based numerical solver exhibits optimal or near optimal scaling properties.

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1985 B78 / Master of Science

In recent years, revolutionary "hybrid" or "multi-physics" methods of medical imaging have emerged. By combining two or three different types of waves these methods overcome limitations of classical tomography techniques and deliver otherwise unavailable, potentially life-saving diagnostic information. Thermoacoustic (and photoacoustic) tomography is the most developed multi-physics imaging modality. Thermo- and photo-acoustic tomography require reconstructing initial acoustic pressure in a body from time series of pressure measured on a surface surrounding the body. For the classical case of free space wave propagation, various reconstruction techniques are well known. However, some novel measurement schemes place the object of interest between reflecting walls that form a de facto resonant cavity. In this case, known methods cannot be used. In chapter 2 we present a fast iterative reconstruction algorithm for measurements made at the walls of a rectangular reverberant cavity with a constant speed of sound. We prove the convergence of the iterations under a certain sufficient condition, and demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the algorithm in numerical simulations. In chapter 3 we consider the more general problem of an arbitrarily shaped resonant cavity with a non constant speed of sound and present the gradual time reversal method for computing solutions to the inverse source problem. It consists in solving back in time on the interval [0, T] the initial/boundary value problem for the wave equation, with the Dirichlet boundary data multiplied by a smooth cutoff function. If T is sufficiently large one obtains a good approximation to the initial pressure; in the limit of large T such an approximation converges (under certain conditions) to the exact solution.

Dissertation (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / Please refer to full text for abstract.

This thesis makes contributions to the solution of Hadamard's problem through an examination of the question of the validity of Huygens'principle for the non-self-adjoint scalar wave equation on a Petrov type D spacetime. The problem is split into five further sub-cases based on the alignment of the Maxwell and Weyl principal spinors of the underlying spacetime. Two of these sub-cases are considered, one of which is proved to be incompatible with Huygens' principle, while for the other, it is shown that Huygens' principle implies that the two principal null congruences of the Weyl tensor are geodesic and shear-free. Furthermore, an unpublished result of McLenaghan regarding symmetric spacetimes of Petrov type D is independently verified. This result suggests the possible existence of counter-examples of the Carminati-McLenaghan conjecture.

A two-dimensional numerical model has been developed to simulate wave-current induced nearshore circulation patterns in beaches and surf zones. The wave model is based on the parabolic wave equation for mild slope beaches. The parabolic equation method has been chosen because it is a viable means of predicting the characteristics of surface waves in slowly varying domains and in its present form dissipation and wave breaking are also included. The two dimensional parabolic mild slope equation was discretised and solved in a fully implicit manner, so stability did not create a major problem. This wave model was then embedded into the existing numerical model DIVAST. The sediment transport formulae from Van Rijn was used to calculate the nearshore sediment transport rate.

We consider three classical equations that are important examples of parabolic, elliptic, and hyperbolic partial differential equations, namely, the heat equation, the Laplace's equation, and the wave equation. We derive them from physical principles, explore methods of finding solutions, and make observations about their applications.