On the steadiness of symmetric solutions to higher order perturbations of KdV

Abstract: We consider the traveling structure of symmetric solutions to the Rosenau-Kawahara-RLW equation and the perturbed R-KdV-RLW equation. Both equations are higher order perturbations of the classical KdV equation. For the Rosenau-Kawahara-RLW equation, we prove that classical and weak solutions with a priori symmetry must be traveling solutions. For the more complicated perturbed R-KdV-RLW equation, we classify all symmetric traveling solutions, and prove that there exists no nontrivial symmetric traveling solution of solitary type once dissipation or shoaling perturbations exist. This gives a new perspective for evaluating the suitableness of a model for water waves. In addition, this result illustrates the sharpness of the symmetry principle in [Int. Math. Res. Not. IMRN, 2009; Ehrnstrom, Holden & Raynaud] for solitary waves.