The book presents the state of the art of nonlocal modeling and discretization and provides a practical introduction to nonlocal modeling for readers who are not familiar with such models. These models have recently become a viable alternative to classical partial differential equations when the latter are unable to capture effects such as discontinuities and multiscale behavior in a system of interest. Because of their integral nature, nonlocal operators allow for the relaxation of regularity requirements on the solution and thus allow for the capture of multiscale effects, the result of which is their successful use in many scientific and engineering applications. The book also provides a thorough analysis and numerical treatment of nonstandard nonlocal models, focusing on both well-known and nonstandard interaction neighborhoods. In addition, the book delivers an extensive practical treatment of the implementation of discretization strategies via finite element methods. Numerous figures are provided as concrete examples to illustrate both the analytic and computational results. Nonlocal Integral Equation Continuum Models: Nonstandard Interaction Neighborhoods and Finite Element Discretizations is intended for mathematical and application researchers interested in alternatives to using partial differential equation models that better describe the phenomena they are interested in. The book will also be of use to computational scientists and engineers who need to make sense of how to use available software, improve existing software, or develop new software tailored to their application interests.

"Provides both an overview of the state of the art of nonlocal modeling and discretization and novel analyses for a class of nonstandard nonlocal models"--

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.

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.

This book offers a comprehensive and timely report of size-dependent continuum mechanics approaches. Written by scientists with worldwide reputation and established expertise, it covers the most recent findings, advanced theoretical developments and computational techniques, as well as a range of applications, in the field of nonlocal continuum mechanics. Chapters are concerned with lattice-based nonlocal models, Eringen’s nonlocal models, gradient theories of elasticity, strain- and stress-driven nonlocal models, and peridynamic theory, among other topics. This book provides researchers and practitioners with extensive and specialized information on cutting-edge theories and methods, innovative solutions to current problems and a timely insight into the behavior of some advanced materials and structures. It also offers a useful reference guide to senior undergraduate and graduate students in mechanical engineering, materials science, and applied physics.

As alternatives to partial differential equations (PDEs), nonlocal continuum models given in integral forms avoid the explicit use of conventional spatial derivatives and allow solutions to exhibit desired singular behavior. As an application, peridynamic models are reformulations of classical continuum mechanics that allow a natural treatment of discontinuities by replacing spatial derivatives of stress tensor with integrals of force density functions. The thesis is concerned about the mathematical perspective of nonlocal modeling and local-nonlocal coupling for fracture mechanics both theoretically and numerically. To this end, the thesis studies nonlocal diffusion models associated with ``Neumann-type'' constraints (or ``traction conditions'' in mechanics), a nonlinear peridynamic model for fracture mechanics with bond-breaking rules, and a multi-scale model with local-nonlocal coupling. In the computational studies, it is of practical interest to develop robust numerical schemes not only for the numerical solution of nonlocal models, but also for the evaluation of suitably defined derivatives of solutions. This leads to a posteriori nonlocal stress analysis for structure mechanical models.

This book offers a comprehensive treatment of nonlocal elasticity theory as applied to the prediction of the mechanical characteristics of various types of biological and non-biological nanoscopic structures with different morphologies and functional behaviour. It combines fundamental notions and advanced concepts, covering both the theory of nonlocal elasticity and the mechanics of nanoscopic structures and systems. By reporting on recent findings and discussing future challenges, the book seeks to foster the application of nonlocal elasticity based approaches to the emerging fields of nanoscience and nanotechnology. It is a self-contained guide, and covers all relevant background information, the requisite mathematical and computational techniques, theoretical assumptions, physical methods and possible limitations of the nonlocal approach, including some practical applications. Mainly written for researchers in the fields of physics, biophysics, mechanics, and nanoscience, as well as computational engineers, the book can also be used as a reference guide for senior undergraduate and graduate students, as well as practicing engineers working in a range of areas, such as computational condensed matter physics, computational materials science, computational nanoscience and nanotechnology, and nanomechanics.