It was shown that the Orowan-type kinematic relationships, as well as the Schmid yield criterion, could be derived on the basis of a formula which defined the mean curvature of glide surfaces for a congruence of edge-dislocation lines, accompanied by a particular distribution of secondary point defects. It appeared that this mean curvature had the physical meaning of a mesoscopic material parameter which defined a relationship between plastic deformation and the evolution of the dislocation state. It was pointed out that the existence of Orowan-type relationship imposed kinematic constraints, on the dislocation-density tensor, which depended upon the isometry group of glide surfaces.

On the Geometrical Origin of Orowan-Type Kinematic Relations and the Schmid Yield Criterion. A.Tresowski: Acta Mechanica, 2000, 141[3-4], 173-92