Work

On nonlocal problems with Neumann boundary conditions: scaling and convergence for nonlocal operators and solutions

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Formulations of Neumann-type boundary conditions for boundary value problems in the nonlocal framework are beset with difficulties, some related to the choice of a proper scaling. Here we identify a space-dependent scaling for a nonlocal Neumann operator, for which we prove linear in δ (δ being the radius for the support for the kernel) convergence of the Neumann operator and $\mathcal{O}(\delta ^{2})$ convergence of solutions to their classical counterparts. The pointwise-like convergence of the nonlocal normal operator is cast as a new type of two-scale operator-point convergence, which we call condensated convergence. The results hold for general integrable kernels, a setting which is favored in numerical simulations. We support this analysis with numerical convergence studies using a piecewise linear discontinuous Galerkin discretization and show an $\mathcal{O}(\delta ^{2})$ rate of convergence of solutions, also exhibiting an $\mathcal{O}(h^{2})$ convergence, where h is the mesh size.

Source: Advances in Continuous and Discrete Models

DOI: 10.1186/s13662-025-03923-x

Authors: Michael L. Parks, Petronela Radu

Institutions: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Language: English

Topic: Nonlinear Partial Differential Equations

Subfield: Applied Mathematics

Field: Mathematics

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $1,890

Funders: Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Advanced Scientific Computing Research