Error estimates of finite element methods for nonlocal problems using exact or approximated interaction neighbourhoods

Abstract We study the asymptotic error between the finite element solutions of nonlocal models with a bounded interaction neighbourhood and the exact solution of the limiting local model. The limit corresponds to the case when the horizon parameter, the radius of the spherical nonlocal interaction neighbourhood of the nonlocal model and the mesh size simultaneously approach zero. Two important cases are discussed: one involving the original nonlocal models and the other for nonlocal models with polygonal approximations of the nonlocal interaction neighbourhood. Results of numerical experiments are also reported to substantiate the theoretical studies.