Write systematic tests for initial value propagation

[killenb]

Each point in the spec needs a test. It should be short and just that particular line.

• The tests should have the spec line number in the name, and the name should briefly contain which functionality is tested.

• Each line in the spec has a reference to the test

• The doxygen docu of the test links back to the section in the spec

Start with #175 (Section D.8), which is a part of this ticket. It has been put separately because this part does not seem to be covered by tests at all.

[mhier]

Now on redmine #8373