On the TVD property of second order methods for 2D scalar conservation laws

Abstract: The total variation diminishing (TVD) property is an important tool for ensuring nonlinear stability and convergence of numerical solutions of one-dimensional scalar conservation laws. However, it proved to be challenging to extend this approach to two-dimensional problems. Using the anisotropic definition for discrete total variation (TV), it was shown in \cite{Goodman} that TVD solutions of two-dimensional hyperbolic equations are at most first order accurate. We propose to use an alternative definition resulting from a full discretization of the semi-discrete Raviart-Thomas TV. We demonstrate numerically using the second order discontinuous Galerkin method that limited solutions of two-dimensional hyperbolic equations are TVD in means when total variation is computed using the new definition.