The size-dependent flow stress in uniformly loaded pillars was modelled by using a discrete dislocation dynamics tool. Starting with Frank-Read sources of given length and random orientation, the simulated flow stress at 0.15% plastic strain exhibited a clear size-effect; similar to the experimental findings for larger strains. The scattering of the simulated stress–strain curves decreased with increasing sample size, which indicated that the plasticity of small-scale samples was very sensitive to the underlying dislocation microstructure.

Three-Dimensional Dislocation Dynamics Simulation of the Influence of Sample Size on the Stress–Strain Behaviour of FCC Single-Crystalline Pillars. D.Weygand, M.Poignant, P.Gumbsch, O.Kraft: Materials Science and Engineering A, 2008, 483-484, 188-90