Nonlocal Modeling, Analysis, and Computation

Book excerpt: Studies of complexity, singularity, and anomaly using nonlocal continuum models are steadily gaining popularity. This monograph provides an introduction to basic analytical, computational, and modeling issues and to some of the latest developments in these areas. Nonlocal Modeling, Analysis, and Computation includes motivational examples of nonlocal models, basic building blocks of nonlocal vector calculus, elements of theory for well-posedness and nonlocal spaces, connections to and coupling with local models, convergence and compatibility of numerical approximations, and various applications, such as nonlocal dynamics of anomalous diffusion and nonlocal peridynamic models of elasticity and fracture mechanics. A particular focus is on nonlocal systems with a finite range of interaction to illustrate their connection to local partial differential equations and fractional PDEs. These models are designed to represent nonlocal interactions explicitly and to remain valid for complex systems involving possible singular solutions and they have the potential to be alternatives for as well as bridges to existing models. The author discusses ongoing studies of nonlocal models to encourage the discovery of new mathematical theory for nonlocal continuum models and offer new perspectives on traditional models, analytical techniques, and algorithms.