On Solving One-Dimensional Partial Differential Equations With Spatially Dependent Variables Using the Wavelet-Galerkin Method

The discrete orthogonal wavelet-Galerkin method is illustrated as an effective method for solving partial differential equations (PDE's) with spatially varying parameters on a bounded interval. Daubechies scaling functions provide a concise but adaptable set of basis functions and allow for implementation of varied loading and boundary conditions. These basis functions can also effectively describe C⁰ continuous parameter spatial dependence on bounded domains. Doing so allows the PDE to be discretized as a set of linear equations composed of known inner products which can be stored for efficient parametric analyses. Solution schemes for both free and forced PDE's are developed; natural frequencies, mode shapes, and frequency response functions for an Euler–Bernoulli beam with piecewise varying thickness are calculated. The wavelet-Galerkin approach is shown to converge to the first four natural frequencies at a rate greater than that of the linear finite element approach; mode shapes and frequency response functions converge similarly.