SOLUTION OF THE ADVECTION-DIFFUSION EQUATION USING THE SPLINE FUNCTION AND FINITE ELEMENTS.

This paper deals with the solution of the one-dimensional advection-diffusion equation. The method of solution is based on the process-splitting technique. The transport equation is split up into the advection part and the diffusion part at every time step. The advection transport equation is solved by a method of characteristics using a spline function for interpolation. This solution approach proves to be very effective because it reduces numerical dispersion and wiggles. The diffusion equation is solved by the standard Galerkin finite-element method. A comparison of calculations with the results of Holly and Preissmann and with analytical solutions demonstrates the great accuracy of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]