It was recalled that a method for calculating the image-stress field of dislocation segments, due to the presence of a semi-infinite free surface, had been proposed. An alternative method was proposed here which was based upon the Boussinesq problem of point loading in a half-space. It was first shown, using simple cases, that the methods were equivalent. The image stress field due to a population of dislocations was investigated. Estimates were made of the depth to which dislocations had to be taken into account in order to ensure reasonable accuracy of the image stresses. It was also determined how this stress field decayed spatially.

Implementing Image Stresses in a 3D Dislocation Simulation. M.C.Fivel, T.J.Gosling, G.R.Canova: Modelling and Simulation in Materials Science and Engineering, 1996, 4[6], 581-96