Finite Volume Convergence for a Heat Equation with a Measure-Valued Source

Abstract

Past work with Tom Seidman analyzed the spatial convergence order of the numerical finite element method applied to time-dependent diffusion-reaction equations with a measure-valued source term. For smooth source terms, the numerical method has second-order accuracy, but the non-smooth source terms introduce a limitation of the order that depends on the spatial dimension. This work in honor of Tom extends the analysis to the finite volume method in its clas- sical two-point flux form and shows that the regularity of the source term reduces the convergence order to 1 in two and 0.5 in three spatial dimensions which is reduced from the nominal second-order and depends on the space dimension. Computational tests with a point source modeled by a Dirac delta distribution exhibit the behavior predicted by the analytical results.