A framework was presented which coupled continuum elasto-viscoplasticity to 3-dimensional discrete dislocation dynamics. In this approach, the elastic response was governed by Hooke’s law and the viscoplastic behavior was determined by the motion of curved dislocations in a 3-dimensional space. The resultant hybrid continuum-discrete framework was framed as a standard finite element model in which the dislocation-induced stress was homogenized over each element; with a similar treatment for the dislocation-induced plastic strain. The model could be used to investigate a wide range of small-scale plasticity phenomena including: micro-shear bands, adiabatic shear bands, stability and formation of dislocation cells, thin films and multi-layer structures. Results on the formation of deformation bands and surface distortions under dynamic loading conditions were presented, and the ability of the model to analyze complicated deformation-induced patterns was shown.

A Multiscale Model of Plasticity Based on Discrete Dislocation Dynamics. H.M.Zbib, T.Diaz de la Rubia, V.Bulatov: Journal of Engineering Materials and Technology, 2002, 124[1], 78-87