Bridging scales through nonlocal modeling
Qiang Du, 

Abstract:
Nonlocal integral-differential equations and nonlocal balance laws have been proposed as effective continuum models in place of PDEs for a number of anomalous and singular processes. They may also be used to bridge multiscale models, since nonlocality is often a generic feature of model reduction. An example is the theory
of peridynamics that has motivated our work. We discuss a few relevant modeling, computational and analysis issues, including robust simulation codes for validation and verification, effective gradient recovery in a nonlocal setting, and seamless coupling of local (PDEs) and nonlocal models. We demonstrate how new 
mathematical understanding of nonlocal models and asymptotically compatible discretization can help resolving these issues.