Numerical solution of a class of space fractional nonlinear vibration equations with periodic boundary conditions by the Fourier spectral method

Abstract

Nonlinear vibration arises everywhere in engineering. So far there is no method to track the exact trajectory of a space fractional nonlinear oscillator; therefore, a sophisticated numerical method is much needed to elucidate its basic properties. For this purpose, a numerical method that combines the Fourier spectral method with the Runge–Kutta method is proposed. Its accuracy and efficiency have been demonstrated numerically. This approach has full physical understanding and numerical access; thus, it can be used to solve many types of nonlinear space fractional partial differential equations with periodic boundary conditions.