A scheme for the numerical solution of hyperbolic systems of conservation laws (Q1093333)

A method for the numerical solution of hyperbolic systems of conservation laws, particularly of the equations of gas dynamics in one space dimension, is proposed. It is a hybrid method. If the solution is smooth, the grid is fixed and some difference scheme is used. If the solution contains discontinuities, then the group of characteristic points is defined and the method of characteristics is used. The author describes the strategy for the determination of characteristic points. The numerical solutions for some model one-dimensional gas dynamics problems with discontinuities show that the method represents shocks accurately.