arXiv2024
This paper presents a systematic study of the relative entropy technique for compressible motions of continuum bodies described as Hamiltonian flows. While the description for the classical mechanics of $N$ particles involves a Hamiltonian in terms of position and momentum vectors, that for the continuum fluid involves a Hamiltonian in terms of density and momentum. For space dimension $d\ge 2$, the Hamiltonian functional has a non-convex dependency on the deformation gradient or placement map due to material frame indifference. Because of this, the applicability of the relative entropy technique with respect to the deformation gradient or the placement map is inherently limited. Despite these limitations, we delineate the feasible applications and limitations of the technique by pushing it to its available extent. Specifically, we derive the relative Hamiltonian identity, where the Hamiltonian takes the position and momentum field as its primary and conjugate state variables, all within the context of the referential coordinate system that describes the motion. This approach, when applicable, turns out to yield rather strong stability statements. As instances, we consider Euler-Poisson systems in one space dimension. For a specific pressureless model, we verify non-increasing $L^2$ state differences before the formation of $δ$-shock. In addition, weak-strong uniqueness, stability of rarefaction waves, and convergence to the gradient flow in the singular limit of large friction are shown. Depending on the presence or absence of pressure, assumptions are made to suitably accommodate phenomena such as $δ$-shocks, vacuums, and shock discontinuities in the weak solutions.