A three-dimensional simulation of the dynamics and interactions of dislocations in face-centered cubic metals was based upon the discretization of time and space at the mesoscopic scale. The model was validated by using results from the dislocation theory of bulk crystal behaviour. In order to compare simulated and experimental results, full complex boundary conditions were applied to the simulated volume. The heterogeneous stress field was computed for every segment, with finite-element resolution. The first simulation of nano-indentation was achieved by using this method.

3D Simulation of a Nano-Indentation Test at a Mesoscopic Scale. M.Fivel, M.Verdier, G.Canova: Materials Science and Engineering A, 1997, 234-236, 923-6