Describing Function Method Applied to Solution of Nonlinear Heat Conduction Equation

Describing functions have traditionally been used to obtain the solutions of systems of ordinary differential equations. The describing function concept has been extended to include the nonlinear, distributed parameter solid heat conduction equation. A four-step solution algorithm is presented that may be applicable to many classes of nonlinear partial differential equations. As a specific application of the solution technique, the one-dimensional nonlinear transient heat conduction equation in an annular fuel pin is considered. A computer program was written to calculate one-dimensional transient heat conduction in annular cylindrical geometry. It is found that the quasi-linearization used in the describing function method is as accurate as and faster than true linearization methods.