A fast-convolution based space–time Chebyshev spectral method for peridynamic models

Peridynamics is a nonlocal generalization of continuum mechanics theory which addresses discontinuous problems without using partial derivatives and replacing them by an integral operator. As a consequence, it finds applications in the framework of the development and evolution of fractures and damages in elastic materials. In this paper we consider a one-dimensional nonlinear model of peridynamics and propose a suitable two-dimensional fast-convolution spectral method based on Chebyshev polynomials to solve the model. This choice allows us to gain the same accuracy both in space and time. We show the convergence of the method and perform several simulations to study the performance of the spectral scheme.