On the second-order approximate symmetry classification and optimal systems of subalgebras for a forced Korteweg–de Vries equation

We investigate a forced Korteweg–de Vries (fKdV) equation, u , t + cu , x + α uu , x + β u , xxx = β F ( t ) , which arises in the modelling of tsunami generation by submarine landslides. Approximate symmetries are found for the fKdV equation using the method as proposed by Fushchich and Shtelen [6]. Symmetries are found to second order in the perturbation parameter using the MAPLE symmetry package ASP [11], an add-on to the symmetry package DESOLVII [18]. ASP also allows particular forms of the arbitrary function F ( t ) to be found which extend the symmetry algebra and hence a full approximate symmetry classification of the fKdV equation is obtained. Optimal systems of one-dimensional subalgebras are also determined. Corresponding approximate invariant solutions to the fKdV equation are then constructed for particular F ( t ) using DESOLVII routines.