Symmetric structures and dynamic analysis of a (2+1)-dimensional generalized Benny-Luke equation

We study the symmetric structures and dynamic analysis of a (2 + 1)-dimensional generalized Benny-Luke (GBL) equation based on the Lie symmetry method, the GBL equation is an important non-integrable model of water waves. Specifically, we construct multiple exact solutions of the GBL equation and obtain its nonlocally related systems. Firstly, the Lie point symmetries and conservation laws of the GBL equation are computed, and then we get the reduced ordinary differential equation from one of the conservation laws. Multiple methods, for example, the dynamical systems method, the power series method, the homogeneous balancing method and generalized variable separation method, are used to solve the ordinary differential equation and abundant exact solutions of the GBL equation are got. Finally, we extend these exact solutions by discrete symmetries, and give three-dimensional graphs of partial exact solutions. In addition, we construct the nonlocally related PDE systems, which contains the potential systems from the conservation laws and an inverse system from a Lie point symmetry of the GBL equation. These findings reveal the dynamical behavior behind the GBL equation and broaden the range of nonlinear water wave model solutions.