A Cartesian grid embedded boundary method for hyperbolic conservation laws

We present a second-order Godunov algorithm to solve time-dependent hyperbolic systems of conservation laws on irregular domains. Our approach is based on a formally consistent discretization of the conservation laws on a finite-volume grid obtained from intersecting the domain with a Cartesian grid. We address the small-cell stability problem associated with such methods by hybridizing our conservative discretization with a stable, nonconservative discretization at irregular control volumes, and redistributing the difference in the mass increments to nearby cells in a way that preserves stability and local conservation. The resulting method is second-order accurate in L-1 for smooth problems.. and is robust in the presence of large-amplitude discontinuities intersecting the irregular boundary. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.