Abstract
•We use Lie symmetry method to perform an exhaustive analysis on the system of 2D Burgers equations.•Optimal system of one-dimensional subalgebras were constructed and used to find distinct exact solutions.•Solutions obtained can be used to study the interactions of the velocity components, at different time, in appropriate fluid turbulent flows.•Solutions obtained can also serve as benchmarks for constructing algorithms and validation of numerical solutions.•Independent and nontrivial conserved vectors are also constructed.
Fluid turbulence is one of the phenomena that has been studied extensively for many decades. Due to its huge practical importance in fluid dynamics, various models have been developed to capture both the indispensable physical quality and the mathematical structure of turbulent fluid flow. Among the prominent equations used for gaining in-depth insight of fluid turbulence is the two-dimensional Burgers equations. Its solutions have been studied by researchers through various methods, most of which are numerical. Being a simplified form of the two-dimensional Navier–Stokes equations and its wide range of applicability in various fields of science and engineering, development of computationally efficient methods for the solution of the two-dimensional Burgers equations is still an active field of research. In this study, Lie symmetry method is used to perform detailed analysis on the system of two-dimensional Burgers equations. Optimal system of one-dimensional subalgebras up to conjugacy is derived and used to obtain distinct exact solutions. These solutions not only help in understanding the physical effects of the model problem but also, can serve as benchmarks for constructing algorithms and validation of numerical solutions of the system of Burgers equations under consideration at finite Reynolds numbers. Independent and nontrivial conserved vectors are also constructed.