Group theoretic approach and analytical solutions of the compressible Navier-Stokes equations

A group theoretic analysis of the compressible Navier-Stokes equations of an ideal gas are carried out. The 12-dimensional Lie symmetry group is computed. The commutation table and the Levi decomposition of its Lie algebra are presented. The equations are reduced and self-similar one-, two- and three-dimensional solutions are computed. Many of them are graphically illustrated.