Weak solutions to PDE with different ICs

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the boundary value problem defined by the biharmonic operator $$\bigtriangleup^2u=f$$ on a bounded open set $$U$$ with smooth boundary $$\partial U$$. The problem establishes the existence and uniqueness of weak solutions in the Sobolev space $$W_0^{2,2}(U)$$ under specific boundary conditions. The Lax-Milgram Theorem is applied to demonstrate these properties, emphasizing the need for coercivity and continuity of the associated bilinear form. A challenge arises in differentiating between two sets of boundary conditions while maintaining the appropriate Sobolev space for weak solutions.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of weak solutions in Sobolev spaces, specifically $$W_0^{2,2}(U)$$.
  • Familiarity with the Lax-Milgram Theorem and its application in proving existence and uniqueness of solutions.
  • Knowledge of partial differential equations, particularly biharmonic equations and their boundary conditions.
  • Proficiency in integration by parts and properties of test functions in the context of Sobolev spaces.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of Sobolev spaces, focusing on $$W_0^{2,2}(U)$$ and its implications for weak solutions.
  • Research the Lax-Milgram Theorem in-depth, including examples of its application to boundary value problems.
  • Explore the differences in weak solutions under varying boundary conditions, particularly for biharmonic equations.
  • Learn about coercivity and continuity in bilinear forms and their significance in functional analysis.
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Mathematicians, physicists, and engineers working with partial differential equations, particularly those involved in boundary value problems and functional analysis. This discussion is especially beneficial for graduate students and researchers focusing on Sobolev spaces and weak formulations of PDEs.

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Homework Statement


Let ##U\subset\mathbb{R}^n## be a bounded open set with smooth boundary ##\partial U##. Consider the boundary value problem $$\begin{cases}\bigtriangleup^2u=f&\text{on }U\\u=\frac{\partial u}{\partial n}=0&\text{on }\partial U\end{cases}$$where ##n## is the outward pointing normal on ##\partial U## and ##f\in L^2(U)##.
a) Define the notion of weak solution and show that the boundary value problem has a unique solution in an appropreately chosen Sobolev space.
b) Change the boundary conditions to ##u=\bigtriangleup u=0## and prove the existence of a weak solution in the appropreate Sobolev space.

Homework Equations


The book I am using describes the procedure for second-order partial differential operator ##L=-\sum_{i,j=1}^na_{i,j}u_{x_ix_j}+\sum_{i=1}^nb_iu_{x_i}+cu## with boundary condition ##u=0## as follows:
Multiply ##Lu=f## by a test function ##v\in C_0^\infty## and integrate over ##U##. After some partial integration one has$$\sum_{i,j=1}^n\int_Ua_{ij}u_{x_i}v_{x_j}+\sum_{i=1}\int_Ub_iu_{x_i}v+\int_Ucuv=\int_Ufv.$$By approximation (property) the equality above can be made to hold for any ##v\in W_0^{1,2}(U)## so they define ##u\in W_0^{1,2}(U)## as the weak solution of the problem if it satisfies the formula above for any ##v\in W_0^{1,2}(U)##.

The Attempt at a Solution


Multiplying the equation by a test function ##v\in C_0^\infty(U)## and integrating over ##U## I get (after partial integration, using that all derivatives of ##v## are zero on the boundary):$$\sum_{i,j=1}^n\int_Uu_{x_ix_i}v_{x_jx_j}=\int_Ufv$$or (depending on the order of partial integration)$$\sum_{i,j=1}^n\int_Uu_{x_ix_j}v_{x_ix_j}=\int_Ufv.$$Here I make a similar statement that both of the equalities above can be made to hold for any ##v\in W_0^{2,2}(U)## hence if ##u\in W_0^{2,2}(U)## satisfies those for any ##v## then it is a weak solution.
From here on the existence and uniqueness of ##u## follows from Lax-Milgram Theorem after proving the coercivity and continuity of left-hand side (denoted as bilinear form ##B[u,v]##) and continuity of right-hand side (denoted as ##L^2(U)## inner product ##(f,v)##).

My problem is that my assumption on ##u\in W_0^{2,2}(U)## might be too general since it makes no difference between cases a) and b) but I can't think of any "more specific" Sobolev space to let ##u## be in.

Any comments welcome.
 
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I tried to solve a) for ##u,v\in W^{2,2}(U)\cap W_0^{1,2}(U)## but hit a technical problem.
I defined$$(u,v)=\sum_{i,j=1}^n\int_Uu_{x_ix_j}v_{x_ix_j}$$and tried to show that it's an inner product on ##u,v\in W^{2,2}(U)\cap W_0^{1,2}(U)##, but I'm having difficulties with showing that $$0=(u,u)=\sum_{i,j=1}^n\|u_{x_ix_j}\|_{L^2(U)}$$ implies that ##u\equiv0## almost everywhere on ##U##.
 

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