Scaling invariance and the iterative transformation method for a class of parabolic moving boundary problems

In this paper we apply a scaling invariance analysis to reduce a class of parabolic moving boundary problems to free boundary problems governed by ordinary differential equations. As well known free boundary problems are always non-linear and, consequently, their numerical solution is often obtained iteratively. Among the numerical methods, developed for the numerical solution of this kind of problems, we focus on the iterative transformation method that has been defined within scaling invariance theory. Then, as illustrative examples, we solve two problems of interest in the applications. The obtained numerical results are found in good agreement with exact or approximate ones.

► We apply a similarity analysis to a class of parabolic moving boundary problems. ► We describe the iterative transformation method for a general class of free boundary problems. ► We report on numerical results for two peoblems of applied sciences.