An averaged Lagrangian method for dissipative wavetrains

Source abstract

Abstract We modify the averaged Lagrangian method for analysing slowly varying nonlinear wavetrains to include cases with small dissipation. To do this, we use a pseudo-variational principle introduced by Prigogine in which the Lagrangian depends on a function to be varied and the solution of the problem; this can be used to describe irreversible processes. Examples of applications to both ordinary and partial differential equations are presented.