The form of blow-up for nonlinear parabolic equations

Abstract

SynopsisSemilinear parabolic equations of the form u1 = ∇2u + δf(u), where f is positive and is finite, are known to exhibit the phenomenon of blow-up, i.e. for sufficiently large S, u becomes infinite after a finite time t*. We consider one-dimensional problems in the semi-infinite region x>0 and find the time to blow-up (t*). Also, the limiting behaviour of u as t→t*- and x→∞ is determined; in particular, it is seen that u blows up at infinity, i.e. for any given finite x, u is bounded as t→t*. The results are extended to problems with convection.The modified equation xu, = uxx +f(u) is discussed. This shows the possibility of blow-up at x =0 even if u(0, f) = 0. The manner of blow-up is estimated.Finally, bounds on the time to blow-up for problems in finite regions are obtained by comparing u with upper and lower solutions.