Global structure of Riemann solutions to a system of two-dimensional hyperbolic conservation laws Original Research Article

The Riemann problem for a two-dimensional nonstrictly hyperbolic system of conservation laws is considered. Without the restriction that each jump of the initial data projects one planar elementary wave, ten topologically distinct solutions are obtained by applying the method of generalized characteristic analysis. Some of these solutions involve the nonclassical waves, i.e., the delta shock wave and the delta contact discontinuity, for which we explicitly give the expressions of their strengths, locations and propagation speeds. Moreover, we demonstrate that the nature of our solutions is identical with that of solutions to the corresponding one-dimensional Cauchy problem, which provides a verification that our construction produces the correct unique global solutions.