Nonlocal criteria for compactness in the space of LpL^{p} vector fields

This work presents a set of sufficient conditions that guarantee a compact inclusion in the function space of $L^p$ vector fields defined on a domain that is either a bounded domain in $\mathbb{R}^{d}$ or $\mathbb{R}^{d}$ itself. The criteria are nonlocal and are given with respect to nonlocal interaction kernels that may not be necessarily radially symmetric. Moreover, these criteria for vector fields are also different from those given for scalar fields in that the conditions are based on nonlocal interactions involving only parts of the components of the vector fields

Minimal positive stencils in meshfree finite difference methods for linear elliptic equations in non-divergence form

We design a monotone meshfree finite difference method for linear elliptic equations in the non-divergence form on point clouds via a nonlocal relaxation method. Nonlocal approximations of linear elliptic equations are first introduced to which a meshfree finite difference method applies. Minimal positive stencils are obtained through a local $l_1$-type optimization procedure that automatically guarantees the stability and, therefore, the convergence of the meshfree discretization for linear elliptic equations. The key to the success of the method relies on the existence of positive stencils for a given point cloud geometry. We provide sufficient conditions for the existence of positive stencils by finding neighbors within an ellipse (2d) or ellipsoid (3d) surrounding each interior point, generalizing the study for Poisson's equation by Seibold in 2008. It is well-known that wide stencils are in general needed for constructing consistent and monotone finite difference schemes for linear elliptic equations. Our study improves the known theoretical results on the existence of positive stencils for linear elliptic equations when the ellipticity constant becomes small. Numerical algorithms and practical guidance are provided with an eye on the case of small ellipticity constant. We present numerical results in 2d and 3d at the end

Nonlocal half-ball vector operators on bounded domains: Poincar\'e inequality and its applications

This work contributes to nonlocal vector calculus as an indispensable mathematical tool for the study of nonlocal models that arises in a variety of applications. We define the nonlocal half-ball gradient, divergence and curl operators with general kernel functions (integrable or fractional type with finite or infinite supports) and study the associated nonlocal vector identities. We study the nonlocal function space on bounded domains associated with zero Dirichlet boundary conditions and the half-ball gradient operator and show it is a separable Hilbert space with smooth functions dense in it. A major result is the nonlocal Poincar\'e inequality, based on which a few applications are discussed, and these include applications to nonlocal convection-diffusion, nonlocal correspondence model of linear elasticity, and nonlocal Helmholtz decomposition on bounded domains

A quasinonlocal coupling method for nonlocal and local diffusion models

In this paper, we extend the idea of "geometric reconstruction" to couple a nonlocal diffusion model directly with the classical local diffusion in one dimensional space. This new coupling framework removes interfacial inconsistency, ensures the flux balance, and satisfies energy conservation as well as the maximum principle, whereas none of existing coupling methods for nonlocal-to-local coupling satisfies all of these properties. We establish the well-posedness and provide the stability analysis of the coupling method. We investigate the difference to the local limiting problem in terms of the nonlocal interaction range. Furthermore, we propose a first order finite difference numerical discretization and perform several numerical tests to confirm the theoretical findings. In particular, we show that the resulting numerical result is free of artifacts near the boundary of the domain where a classical local boundary condition is used, together with a coupled fully nonlocal model in the interior of the domain

Multiscale Modeling, Homogenization and Nonlocal Effects: Mathematical and Computational Issues

In this work, we review the connection between the subjects of homogenization and nonlocal modeling and discuss the relevant computational issues. By further exploring this connection, we hope to promote the cross fertilization of ideas from the different research fronts. We illustrate how homogenization may help characterizing the nature and the form of nonlocal interactions hypothesized in nonlocal models. We also offer some perspective on how studies of nonlocality may help the development of more effective numerical methods for homogenization

Nonlocal models with a finite range of nonlocal interactions

Nonlocal phenomena are ubiquitous in nature. The nonlocal models investigated in this thesis use integration in replace of differentiation and provide alternatives to the classical partial differential equations. The nonlocal interaction kernels in the models are assumed to be as general as possible and usually involve finite range of nonlocal interactions. Such settings on one hand allow us to connect nonlocal models with the existing classical models through various asymptotic limits of the modeling parameter, and on the other hand enjoy practical significance especially for multiscale modeling and simulations. To make connections with classical models at the discrete level, the central theme of the numerical analysis for nonlocal models in this thesis concerns with numerical schemes that are robust under the changes of modeling parameters, with mathematical analysis provided as theoretical foundations. Together with extensive discussions of linear nonlocal diffusion and nonlocal mechanics models, we also touch upon other topics such as high order nonlocal models, nonlinear nonlocal fracture models and coupling of models characterized by different scales